Today: begin

New & exciting...

So much to get down because there are things I want to remind myself to write on in the next few days.  I am going to have to revert to using a list...kinda like I have done on past post.

1. I will find out on Friday if I am getting a girl or boy Yorkie-Poo.  I am very excited to add this new addition to my life.  Losing Triplee so suddenly July 1st has left a tremendous void in my heart.  I know that I will never replace her sweet little face, attitude, and grace, but I know in my heart I am ready to love another little personality.  I will tell the new pup all about his or her wonderful older sister.
2. In 4 days I am turning 31.  I am so pleased with this.  Unlike last year and dreading the big 30...I am so grateful for all that I have learned, loved, & lost in the past 365 days.  I wouldn't change the experiences that I have had because I finally know who I am.  *I want to do a 31 reasons why I am glad to be turning 31.
3. I am heading to the beach on Saturday morning to start my birthday weekend off at my most favorite place (the ocean) with one of my favorite people (John.)  I am so blessed.
4. I participated in a really cool swap with the girls from Red Velvet.  It was "my three favorite things" swap and I was paired with a very talented artist from Maine, Heather Wilson.  She has a very cool shop on Etsy.  Lots of fabulous eye candy like this & this. 

This is my swap package from Heather.  I loved the star magnet (stars are my weakness) and the really yummy fabric.  Thanks Heather for the new inspiration!  Ohh...and the lip balm is FANTASTIC!

My package to her just went out today.  Below is a sneak pick of my favorite things...Tea, Stars, PaperSource, Ink, a few other things and a new painting from my etsy shop ::Scribbles Inc:: I really hope she enjoys my package.  See photo below.

Thanks for stopping by..it is fun to read comments so if you have a moment say hi.

xoxo *jeny*

cool finds::fresh links

I wanted to spend some time talking about Etsy.  When I joined etsy almost a year ago I never expected it to take off like it has.  I felt so lucky to be a part of a such a huge and talented group of crafters that were so welcoming.  One my second day of having my shop open, I was picked as a featured crafter.  That gave me a ton of exposer.  I want to do that for a few of my favorite shops here.

TV Tray Art::  Her jewelry is so fun and I love the color combinations that she chooses for all her pieces.  Not to mention, I am a bit of a sucker for the cool shop name.

Samantha Leigh Designs::She has a great eye for shapes and colors.  I like the choice of warm beads with cool silver.  The bracelet has such a great "organic" shape.  Big Fan.

Bethany Cooper Designs::She can do some pretty amazing things with polymer clay.  She also uses PMC and has really great prices.  A great shop to pick a little something up for someone just because.

*************************************************************************
I have decided to add an additional step into my day.  I am going to make an effort to do one unexpected and nice thing for someone different everyday.  I started on Sunday by giving a lady at Bed, Bath, and Beyond my 20% coupon.  I didn't really need it and I saw that she was making a HUGE purchase.  It was worth it to hear her exclaim how much she saved.  She also gave me a little hug.  It felt good.  Today, I made dinner for a friend and brought it to him.  Nothing makes you feel as good as seeing a real genuine smile on someone.  I am really down right now...I feel sad and lonely, but I am smart enough to know that what I do have in my life makes me very lucky.  After experiencing a bit of an "Oprah" moment I decided a sure fire way to start feeling better would be to start paying the unexpected joys forward.

*jeny

::note to self:: tomorrow I should write out a list of what I hope to accomplish every day.  I need to see if it is realistic.