Hey everyone, I have been sick for almost 3 years. Unable to drive for 4 years and due to stress for the last 5 years has given me illnesses I never dreamed about. Everything combined has destroyed my business which I thought would never happen. I am getting gobs of views but barely any sales. At this point I think I might just retire. Sad thing is it is my escape from the world. I don't know if I'm getting hits because they are copying my work or for crying out loud, the tarriff fear. Don't let them scare you. Trump is doing what most of Americans want. I know it's what I want. For the others you need to research and research what you are supporting! Don't let the fearmongers win. Till next time take a look at my website at mustardseed.com.

I'M BACK!!

Hi! It's been a long time since i wrote but thought it was a good idea to catch up on what I've been up to. Don't know about you but this world is crazy! I reside in Southern California, in a desert town that is usually dry. Not this summer! We are having three digit temps with alot of humidity and never get rain! Wow. My business (mustard seed originals) is booming. I have listed items on Etsy since 2006 and have met alot of new friends. Unfortunately in the last two years I have been discriminated against, removing my black dolls and warning me not to list anymore or they will close my shop. Okay so I followed the rules but either I was being stalked by someone who turned me in when I listed one or they just have it out for me. Then last week I got a message from Etsy saying I needed to sign up with a third party so they can know that I'm not money laundering. GIVE ME A FREAKIN BREAK! So with that I refuse to give anyone else my banking information so they have access to my account. Nope, not going to happen! SOOOO I am leaving Etsy within 30 days and will be using my website, Mustardseedoriginals.com. I am currently listing all new desgns on my website and not listing anything on Etsy. They will ruin themselves, just like Ebay.

This is my newest fall design listed on my website today. I also listed this scarey fellow Drecula, Dracula's son.

check out my website and see how you like it. I have had it for years but neglected it terribly and made Etsy very wealthy. I like using it much better than Etsy. Grab a drink and take a browse :-)

Welcome to 2014!

This is my first post since a longgg time. Trying to figure out this new blogspot navigation. Why do they have to change things that don't seem to need changing? Hopefully I'll be able to start blogging regularly if I can figure this out. I have been selling alot of designs on etsy HERE. I've also been selling on Ebay too. Here's a few of my dolls that I have on Ebay currently.

Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to check back regularly as I continue to blog.

Today's a great day!!! Hopefully it will find we have a new leader at the end. I truly believe that we need to be on a different path than we have been the last 4 years. Get out and vote to turn this country around!! Our forefathers are probably rolling over in their graves at the way this country has been taken!! Your vote will count!!


I will be listing some new items on Ebay later today as well which you can find HERE. Be sure to refresh your browser.
Thanks for stopping by. Gotta run and get these fingers stitching!

 

They say time flys and I'm here to tell you that's no lie! This week we vote, hopefully, for a new leader. We had change and it didn't do anything good for us so it's time to be put on a different path.

They can be found HERE with a another cute thanksgiving dude.
Also on Etsy I have several special dolls. Among them are these
Also since moving to Arizona, I have added my designs to a local shop in Olde Town Glendale called The Apple Tree. Karen and staff are fantastic people and her shop is chock full of primitive wares! Check it out HERE.

The weather is perfect here now..days are pleasant and nights are cool. Just my kind of weather. We were able to attend the Arizona State Fair several times and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I became a grandmother again on October 17th to Olivia Rose who weighed 6 lbs 5 ozs and is a wee little girl. Momma and baby are doing great and my grandson is a proud brother too.
Praying for folks back east following that terrible storm. It's so sad. Atlantic City will never be the same without the original boardwalk. I grew up going to AC and walking on it. I hope these folks get the help they need. Where are all the foreign countries to help us...we are always running to their rescue everytime there's a natural disaster or otherwise!! Who would have thought it could have been this bad? Hate to see how it is when California has their big earthquake! It will happen one of these days.
Promise not to be so long in posting next time. Please keep our family in your prayers for personal issues we are dealing with. I know God has a plan for us in all this, I just need to keep focused on that. Blessings to you...get out and vote!

We're officially in Arizona! In HOT Arizona..did I say HOT? lol

With the help of PODS and my loving husband we packed and patched and cleaned for 14 solid days morning till night. We are hoping to rent out our home in California soon!

I really miss my home there tho..moving from such a huge home to a little cracker jack box (1500 sf) is terrible! BUT at least we own it. Just can't quite understand what possessed us to purchase such a small home. So till my husband gets another job and we rent out our home in California, we are stuck in this thing. It's really frustrating when just a wee bit of your things fit and others are packed in loads of boxes taking up a 2 car garage! I tried to write the important contents on the outside of the box but when they're stacked on top of each other, who's to know which box the item is in.

I know the Lord must be teaching me some sort of thing but Lord I've learned!! lol We will be seeking a Church to get involved with soon. I'm sure it will get better from there.

Anyways regarding those needlepunch designs that I posted previously that are going to be patterns..well I'm still looking for them. I'm hoping I pick the right box.

Did I say that I don't handle change well? Especially in my older age. Too bad you can't just swallow a pill and know everything instantly, like where things are located within the city. I don't use GPS..don't hardly use my cell phone and don't text at all. I'm lucky I can operate a computer. That took time when I learned that too.

In this move, I had to switch internet providers and lost all my email addresses! So chances are if you signed up to receive mailings from me, you won't be receiving them. Please sign up again so I can get you added. I apologize for the inconvenience. It's a big disappointment to me too!

Thanks for listening to me complain. I promise my posts will not always be this grouchy.
Be sure to stay cool ..it's been in the triple digits here.

OMG has it really been that long, since February..I'm embarrassed, but please know that I have been extremely busy.

Have I mentioned that we are preparing for a move from California to Arizona in about 2 weeks?? So it's been crazy around here. It's just me and my husband because all of our children already reside there, so we are packing and packing some more. It seems it's never going to end. Not to mention that we are moving from a 2670 sft home down to an appx 1500 sft home!! So that's a big downsize. I'll tell you if you ever need to purge that's the way to do it! It works everytime. In 1999 we moved from California to Pennsylvania in a same type of situation from an 2000 appx sft home to a 3 bedroom apartment!! YIKES That was major!! and each time I tell myself I will never accumulate (collect or hoard) this much stuff again, but how soon we forget those words!!!!

Anyways we have been giving good stuff away..do you know how hard it is to donate stuff, and I mean good stuff, not junk, to Salvation Army??? I swear every week we have them here to give our good things away and the guy is so lazy to take it he knocks on my door to tell me what they can't take and what I didn't have on my list when I read it to the lady!!!What's up with this???

After 3 times of donating within 6 months, I have decided to donate to another charity that might appreciate my stuff!geesch!! and worse yet, try complaining..the person who's in charge is just as lazy as the one that picks the stuff up!!!

I have alot of people asking if I'm retiring from designing as I have been listing loads of fabric on ebay lately and selling my dolls for alot lower than normal..Well the answer is yes, I'm sort of retiring from my business in a sense..There's a slight chance I might be seeking a job..part time or full time, if I can handle it with my medical problems. There's alot of job opportunities where we are moving (now everyone don't move to Arizona cuz I said that!!! hehe).

With the economy the way it is, dolls of course are not selling like they did a few years ago, so with that in mind, I am thinking about perhaps altering my designs to some other mediums..kinda getting tired of the primitive sort of things..please comment and let me know what you think. When I see prim decor it doesn't excite me the way it did years ago. I mean my bears/dolls will always have an old fashioned air about them. Oh well I guess I'm rambling..

On another note, I love having the opportunity to just pick up and go if hubby is available on a whim. But then again he will be looking for some sort of job over there. He is retiring from this job he has here in California but doesn't intend to really retire..he would go nuts and as much as I thoroughly enjoy his company and love it when he's off on every one 3 day weekend, I wonder if he would drive me crazy like alot of women say. I don't think he would. I'm hoping he takes up some hobby or something. He loves to golf but golfing is expensive. We'll see, but our son lives in AZ and they enjoy going camping, hiking etc which will be nice.

I'll have my 4 daughters there and we have alot of catching up to do and then there's the 12 almost 13 grands..my youngest daughter is pregnant and she'll find out which sex it is next week. I'm hoping for a little boy! Please Lord I beg you!!! I love boys and only had one.

Okay..back to my business..while I was restricted to my recliner for my broken leg, which btw is doing much better..not perfect but better every week. I still wear my boot when I'm going to have to walk alot or an ankle brace, anyhow I designed several needlepunch patterns to be released soon. I actually really enjoy needlepunch. Have you ever delved into this medium? It actually goes very fast, just be careful of the pointy needle.Have a great Memorial Day holiday weekend. I have to shout out to all the troops now and ones that preceeded these...Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your bravery and for serving your country and protecting even the least deserving of us. Lord protect them.

I promise to not be so long in posting next time...it will be from Arizona!!!

Heading Toward Spring

I have a good excuse for not updating my blog folks. On January 17th while visiting Arizona and preparing to return, I took my doggie out to go potty, I dropped her leash and she went running after another dog. Of course I took off running after her, in none other than my barefeet! Hubs says that was the the problem..well they just watered the grass and it was in a drainage ditch in front of my daughter's apartment and I was running on an embankment, and I fell, hearing my right leg snap and I was down. Knew I couldn't get up or walk on it.

Hubby heard me yelling thank god and came running and him and my daughter basically carried me inside. It was killing me, although it felt better if I put a little bit of weight/pressure down on it. Swelled instantly.

So our trip home was routed to the nearest Urgent Care who xrayed it and told me I broke my leg which i figured. Doc put a boot on it to get me home but I had to see an orthopedic as soon as possible because she was afraid I might have tendon damage/bone damage and need surgery. She said I broke my tibia.

Next day got into my orthopedic doctor who treats me and he says I broke my leg on both sides (inside and out) the bones that connect and hold the ankle socket in place. He said he usually does surgery on breaks like this, but I begged him and my only saving grace was that the fluid around the ankle socket and tibia was not leaking, but rather still in place. So he said that if he cast it and I promised to stay off it, he would insist on seeing me every week for 3 weeks to xray it and if it moves in the slightest bit he would have to do emergency surgery.

So I left his office in a red cast and headed to the medical store to purchase crutches. To say the least, I am a clutz and not good at crutches especially when I can't use my right leg. Matter of fact I fell trying to get inside my front door. Well that was just the start...I had another doctor's(fibro) appt about 90 miles from home a few days later and once again I fell trying to walk inside! Thank god there was an orthopedic doctor's office downstairs who let us use a wheelchair! I must have fallen 9 times in the days after breaking it and was scared to death that I had done more damage.

My fibro doctor insisted that I get a wheelchair and not use the crutches as if I keep falling I will surely need surgery. So I took his advise and had my ortho doctor order me a wheelchair. That was the best thing I could do. Although I'm much better on the little bit I use my crutches, we have used the wheelchair when going out and to the doctor.

My last of the 3 weeks was last Tuesday and everything looks fantastic and I beat surgery!!! He said I had beat the odds. Thank you Jesus!!

However, he wanted me to leave the cast on 2 more weeks at least and then I have to wear the boot for 6 weeks. Did I mention that I can't drive?? That's also the foot I use to run my sewing machine!! Good lord!!

Needless to say, I have been living on my recliner with my leg elevated since it happened. My wee little toes are all black and blue so I can imagine what my ankle/leg looks like, yikes!!!

The cast should come off next Wednesday and I can't wait. But rest assured, I won't ever chase my dog again or ever run.

What a mess. I have been trying to get some work done, needlepunch, handstitching, embroidery etc. But really wish I could work in my studio.

On another note, I am asking for prayers for my granddaughter, Brooke aka Boogie, who was admitted into the children's hospital in Mesa, AZ with breathing problems. They are treating it like asthma but she is pretty bad. Please pray for her and my dd's family.She's only 8 years old and a real pistol. My dd didn't even know she was really sick, except she was coughing and so decided to take her to the doctor and found out that her bronchial tubes are so swollen she's not getting any air in. So prayers would be appreciated. She's a little doll!Here's a photo of her.

We are heading over to Arizona again the weekend to look at prospective houses to purchase one. Our house that we currently own there is a wee bit too small for us we finally figured out, and the kitchen is way too small for me with hardly any cupboard space and no room to build a pantry or extra cabinets.

It's only 3 more months basically until we retire and move. So this leg thing is a big monkeywrench in our plans to downsize from a 2670 sft home to a roughly 1600 sft home. So I have alot to donate, giveaway and sell.

Can't wait to move and get the heck out of dodge (California). Wayyyy to pricey (taxes etc) and wayyy to liberal for our liking. Praying that hubby can get a decent job as he's not fully retiring when we get there. Please keep us in prayer for that too. I know the Lord will guide us in this step.

Meanwhile I am still listing items on Ebay that I have already made. So make sure you check em out HERE.

Also check out my Etsy page, I have a sale on a few things HERE.

The newest issue of TDIPT MERCANTILE is loaded and there's some great new designs to be had for Spring.

and I'll leave you with that. Thanks for stopping by and reading. Thanks in advance for the prayers! They are much appreciated!

Thank God it's Over

How many of you are glad to see 2011 bite the dust? I know I am. This past year has been crazzzy! Not even including the economy, just personal stuff.

2012 starts our new life together in Arizona, well eventually. We can't wait to get out of California and onto the 3rd stage of our lives!!! Yippeee. We will be around all of our children and grands, finally!

I've listed more designs on Ebay that I'd like to share with you.

then there's an adorable snow Queen you'll love

Then a great collector's item is this snowmomma and babes

Another snowperson, however this time it's a father pulling his daughter on a sled

and lastly is this awesome Valentine doll that could be left out yearround shouting LOVE

It's an adorable mother Rabbit anxiously waiting for Spring to plant her new garden but meanwhile has discovered some vegetables that were from last years garden that survived.

I will also be updating my Etsy page HERE

and my website as well as discounting some items so be sure to check back frequently for some great steals! Click HERE to see all my great new designs.

On another note, I have had the privilege of having my Pumpkin Lady "Madge" featured in Stampington's newest PRIMS magazine on page 70.

She will be available for sale shortly. When I receive her back from the magazine. So keep a watch on my site for her.

Lastly I'd like to share a new pattern that I just released that has been a hoped for with alot of folks.

That's about it this New Year's Eve. I pray that next year will bring a fresh new start for all of us. I'm hoping for a BIG change in our government to get us back on track to a good, solvent nation once again. God Bless the USA and God Bless you!

"Santa's Coming to Town"

Are you ready for the jolly old man to visit you yet? I'm not. Actually it's kinda hard to get into Christmas when there's no little ones around your home anymore.I hate the way it's so commercialized anymore.

I've moved on from designing for Christmas to thinking of Valentine's Day and Spring. However, I do have several new Winter offerings on Ebay currently that I know you'll love. First is Daddy and Patty, a Winter Snow design of daddy pulling Patty on her sled through the winter storm. Here's a peek of them.

Aren't they an adorable couple? Too darn cute.

Then there's a primitive Winter Snow Queen with a hand hooked snowman magic wand.

Isn't she adorable? She's primmed but whimsical all in one! Don't miss out on her.

Then lastly on Ebay I have my newest design just off the line called "1802 Winter". A winter scene of a snow momma holding little Junior and pulling her antique wood sled with a tree through the winter snowstorm.

This is my absolute favorite design. All at great low starting bids! Check them all out HERE

Then I have to tell you about my newest designs just listed on Etsy HERE that you are going to love!

There are new angels called "Bedpost Angels"; Herman the rabbit; Valentines day items, great miniature perfectly aged and primmed bears wearing vintage quilt style dresses and more!

Watch for more stuff to be listed tomorrow, December 15th.

Also I have a Valentine's Day Doll offering on PFATT Marketplace this month as well HERE called Valentina. She can also be put on layaway>email me for info.

I really wish it would snow. They were calling for snow the other day but it didn't happen. We rarely get it here in the high desert region of California, but when we do, it's awesome. I know alot of you are sick and tired of snow already..just blow it out here, we'd love to have some. There's just something calming about being outside during a snowstorm. I recall as a child going outside at night to play in the snow and looking up at the sky and the snow falling gently down, all was calm just like the silent night song. I used to stick my tongue out and let the snowflakes fall on it and eat um hehe but I do recall there wasn't a sound and how peaceful it was. That has stuck with me all these years.

I grew up in Pennsylvania where we used to get lots of snowstorms and snow drifts way high. I took that for granted when I moved away in 1972 and now would love to visit in Winter again. Maybe someday.

Well gotta run and head back to work. Thanks for stopping to read

Christmas is Coming!

Yep! It's right around the corner and will be here before we know it. I will only be listing items on ebay till probably the week of the 12th, that's Christmas items. There might be some Valentine and more snowy items tho, so stay tuned.

Wanted to share with you all my latest ebay listings that have LOW starting bids. First is Santa Claus with is decorated tree in a wooden sled and a peaceful white dove in a nest of greenery.

Now isn't he a cutie? Be sure to check out the slideshow below for great closeups of the uniqueness of these designs.

Then comes Sunbright Snowball who is dressed in a blue winter scened dress with lots of snow and german glass glitter and glitz and mica flakes. She holds a great star ornament which could be used separately or hung on your Winter tree till Spring.

I would really appreciate you taking a look at my auctions. Please remember to support your favorite Artist of Handmade in USA designs. This helps to create jobs for Americans when they otherwise wouldn't be able to find any jobs for one reason or another.

On another note, I am requesting prayer for our family. If you are a follower of my blog, then you know the headaches we've had with my dd's exhusband and custody of our grandson. Well he did not return him from his weekend custody yesterday (as he had a plane ticket) and is causing all kinds of headaches for our family now, once again. So looks like we will be heading back to Court once again. Please pray for wisedom, empathy from the Judge who has always been on her ex's side to truly see how manipulating he is once and for all and bring some punishment so he gets the message that he can't treat my dd with name calling, cursing and swearing constantly to and about her and make him responsible for the bills that he is supposed to pay. He has not followed the Court order at all but expects us to bring our grandson back (350 miles) 2 times a month to see him at our expense! And my daughter isn't even making as much as he is. Furthermore, the wage garnishment is a joke! He has a way of working around it with his boss so that she only gets a small portion of what he should be paying, yet he has a new car..it just goes on and on and my nerves are shattered.

He even got in my face at the airport the other day when I simply said something to him that I didn't like the way he talked to my dd. He was lucky my dh wasn't there or he would have gotten decked for sure. He has totally changed. Nothing like he used to be and I think that is in part because he married a hot headed witch who hates my daughter, even though she doesn't even know her and is acting like a loon. Please pray they both grow up!
Anyways I will continue to pray that he goes away somewhere..maybe his job can transfer him overseas or something. But something has to give! And my poor grandson is probably wondering why he hasn't gone back to Arizona with my dd. Who knows what his dad is telling him. I hate to think that.

Oh well didn't mean to get on that subject but it's close to my heart and we really need prayer to bind all this anger and resentment etc he has for us up.

Thanks for listening

Shopping Anyone?

Not me. No way, there's nothing I need so bad that I'm willing to fight pepper spray, or being trambled! People are desperate, I suppose. Especially in these tough times where we are trying to stretch a buck as far as it will go.

Want to give you a heads up about our TDIPT Group Launch called "Winter Wonderland" on Ebay which is to start this Sunday.

I'm sure they'll be lots of great Winter and Christmas designs to be had with wonderful old fashioned look and feel along with some whimsy too. I'm not sure if I'll have mine up before Sunday since I will be unavailable that day or the day after, but I plan to be offering something for your bidding pleasure with a low starting bid, so please plan to check out my ebay page to see.

This is definitely sure to make the giver of this gift the talk of the exchange!

On another note, how was your Thanksgiving? Mine was good. My daughter and her boyfriend joined us for dinner. I'm glad I decided to cook, although my husband said to not bother. Secretly I knew he was just saying that for my benefit, as he loves to have leftovers. I do as well. Besides now I won't have to cook for a few days lol.

Well it's back to work for me. Thanks for taking the time to stop and read.

November News

Howdy everyone! I'm in Arizona today but leaving tomorrow to head home. We had to come and finish moving our daughter into her new apartment. She was able to move alot of the stuff herself but we had to get the big items over by truck.

She's really settling in and adjusting. She starts her new job tomorrow at The Gap Warehouse here in Arizona. She was hired as christmas help but they will be keeping some of the workers on fulltime. She's only to get 1 month of work but at least it's something and the pay isn't shabby either.

I can't believe how many jobs there are here. You wouldn't even get an interview where we live in California.

I just cannot wait to move here..it's so much better all around for us to move here. Especially for my aches and pains with fibromyalgia and my back pain. I decided this weekend that I'm getting a calendar and I'm counting down the days till we can finally move over here.

It will be sad leaving tomorrow but I have to get back home cuz I have loads of work w/my business.

We will see them again in a few weeks for Thanksgiving. My daughter and grandson are flying over but he will be with his father and she will fly back on Saturday after Thanksgiving because she has to work on Sunday and we will drive our grandson home after his visit with dad. This is a VERY costly mess with us having to have the total brunt of the expense of getting him to California and back to Arizona, twice a month, plus mom works on Sundays and that's the day she's supposed to pick him up from Dad to drive home or fly. It just is so unfair that father isn't having to help out with this transportation. We are trying our best to follow the Court order but you can't get blood out of a turnip and the well does dry up.

I know the Lord is on our side and will continue to be. He (father) needs to grow up and also stop being so petty over stupid things. He has never taken REAL responsibility for his son since he was born! But expects to have all the rights as a father! What makes it worse is that sucky California lets him get away with it!! Yet he'll threaten my daughter that he will file paperwork that she is in contempt of the Court Order, but he hasn't followed his part! Oh well we may just be going back to Court. Please pray that we can get a change of venue here for her and have it heard before a different judge who doesn't have any connection to the evaluator that the stupid Judge we had thinks "walks on water."

Okay I'll get off my soapbox.

Is it snowing where you live? I grew up with snow in Pennsylvania till I graduated. Never thought that I would never move back there. I do miss the snow alot in the winter..especially around the holidays. Occasionally we get "wanna be" snow in California but it's not like back east.

Have you checked out my items for sale on Etsy lately? I have been listing alot of smaller items that are great for stocking stuffers or exchange gifts. They are all at great low prices too.

Us girls at TDIPT are talking about a group launch soon on Ebay so stay tuned regarding that.

Please remember to support you favorite American made artists this holiday season. We are all hurting in this economy and appreciate all the support you can give.

Well it's late here and I'm the last one up. I better hit the hay. Till later

Giving Thanks

This is the month that we give thanks for all that the Lord has blessed us with. I have alot to be thankful of. The Lord has blessed my family and although we might not see it often enough, he is always watching and protecting us.

A new chapter has opened in my life book and my daughter's. She obtained a job in Arizona and will start on November 11th. It's supposed to be for holiday help, however, they did say that they will be hiring some people on permanent afterwards. Please pray that my daughter is able to continue working there, or that she is able to find a good phlebotomy job where she will have off on weekends so that she can be able to follow the court order regarding shared custody of our grandson.

There are so many jobs over here verses where we live. Our daughter in law was able to get a permanent parttime job at anna's linens too. The plan was for our dd to live with my son and his wife for about 5 months till she was able get on her feet,however, life as it is ...that wasn't able to happen and so I ended up staying for the week after me and hubs came to visit last weekend. We were able to find her her own nice apartment and get daycare figured out for our grandson.

We will continue to come over, matter of fact we will be coming over a couple of times in the next few weeks. Lots of travel but we have to help her move the big stuff in her new place and get our son's stuff situated too. It's going to be a hard couple of months. Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.

It's a rough road because the Judge who allowed my dd to move her is the same judge who imposed all these requirements for her to move ie that we have to bring him back 2 times a month, but the minute order reads 3 visits however doesn't state that 1 of those 3 were if he wanted to spend his money to come here to visit or pay to have my grandson brought back. So of course he's angry. Never a dull moment.

I'm praying that in the next few months will fly fast and the feelings that were hurt through all this will be mended. The Lord can change hearts and heal hearts as well.

On another note I have enjoyed trick or treating w/my grandkids which is a first for me with a few of them, and also that I am able to have dinner with my daughters and bingo tomorrow with a few of them. Life is short and these little things are true blessings to my heart.

Regarding my business, if you haven't checked it out, I have been listing loads of low end items for sale on my etsy. I will be listing more when I return home early this next week. I was not able to upload anything for TDIPT Mercantile this month, however, I will be uploading some Christmas items for PFATT Marketplaceon the 10th.

Since staying this week with my daughter and son, my dd has gotten me hooked on bedtime tea with honey and lemon balm. What a wonderful drink late in the evening. I'm looking forward to coming over and staying with her in her apartment with my grandson and visiting my other children, including my son and my grandchildren. Thanks for all your prayers.

FALL NEWS

Can't believe October's almost over. Halloween is on the horizon. Seems the months have flown by for me.

We moved our daughter and grandson to Arizona and they are settling in. Before we know it, we'll be following along.

Had a successful show at

Glitterfest in Santa Ana this past Saturday. Great group of designers offering lots of great items for sale. If you ever get a chance, be sure to check it out but take lots of money as there is a real temptation to spend.

Have you heard about the great credit card user friendly "Square Up"? If not, and you sell at shows or whatever, it's a great way to take a credit card. Lower fees than Paypal and no monthly fee either. Check it out HERE.

I spent today adding some new designs to my website and Etsy. Some I've had for awhile and just needed to get them listed and others were left over from the show.

I also listed some great pilgrims "The Duncans" on ebay HERE

I had to put a reserve on it because of all the work involved and the way ebay is so fickle these last few years. If you'd like to know what the reserve is, feel free to email me.

I will be listing more items on both tomorrow and until they are all listed so check back for new items.

I have a facebook page for my business if you're interested, check it out HERE

Like my page too

I have decided to start delving into other mediums besides fabric. I will be sharing this art with you too. Thanks for taking the time to stop and read my blog. Jump in the leaves for me if you live back east. I miss that as we live in the desert with no trees really.

Till next time, have fun with whatever you do.

Fall

Is it true? September is almost gone. One more day and it's all over for 2011, never to happen again. Gosh where does the time go. Christmas is closer than we think. Matter of fact September to me means that it will take no time for Christmas to come.

I am getting a really late start on designing for Halloween and Christmas. If you've been keeping up on my blog, then you know about all the "stuff" I have been going through for the last year. That really put me behind.

I am only doing one show this year which is Glitterfest in Santa Ana, California. It is a one day affair on October 15, 2011. I will be madly working on items for this show next week before the show. It's down to the wire, I know but that seems to be the way my life has been lately.

I have some new designs for October on TDIPT Mercantile. Meet Smitty and his sidekick, Rodchester.

I will probably have a few other offerings but not sure what.

I haven't had the time to post about my offerings on PFATT Marketplace for September. I have two fantastic witchs with great attitudes and a scarecrow too.

The first is Ursula Wickenstein, isn't she great?

The next is Corvis Scareum.Oh and we can't forget "Butch"

His name is Butch and he gives the best hayrides!

Check em out HERE .

Check them all out. Watch for some new items to be listed after the 15th. Maybe even a giveaway so make sure you go to my website and sign up for my mailing list to be qualified to enter. You might win.

Please note that I will not be available from Sept 30-October 3-4. So if you place an order I will get back to you but won't be shipping until after that date. Thanks!

AND THE WINNER IS

Most of you didn't know there was a contest going on. Why is that? Because you aren't on my mailing list for my website
HERE

Didn't have near as many entries as I thought I might have, but that just made it better odds.

Annnnddd the winning name is

Congratulations Corina, I will be emailing you this morning that you won this adorable Annie!

Now that my life has somewhat settled down after the trial, I am madly working on Halloween and Fall designs. I have 2 great witches of which at least 1 will go for sale on PFATT which is released at 10:00 am on the 10th of the month which will be Saturday so I better hustle. I'm even going to be offering my first Gothic style doll soon too.

I'm also preparing for my show HERE.

If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello. I love to meet people who love handmade items.

I have been so busy that I forgot to share my offering for TDIPT this month. Her name is Priscilla.

For details on her visit my BLOG

Also I have another new pattern in the newest (holiday) issue of Create and Decorate magazine. It's called "Snowflake N Chill".

Aren't they adorable? Read more about them
HERE . They make great cupboard hangers or large ornaments or you could resize them smaller if you'd like, with my blessing.

Well that's about it in my corner of the world. Hope you enjoyed your time. Thanks for stopping by.

IT'S FINALLY OVER

Today was the last day of our Court trial for our daughter and grandson to be able to move to Arizona with us when we retire. We won!

We are very happy with the Court's approval, however, I can't say that I feel the same about some of the proceedings.

Why is it that a person can be ordered to pay child support, provide proof of insurance, proof of residence and never abide by the orders be given everything on a silverplatter as if he was doing everything he was ordered? Yet a mother, who is just trying to make a better life for her child, is admonished if she even breaks one of the orders that father will get permanent custody of a child that has been in her physical custody since birth (child aged 5) Where is the damn justice in that?????? It's like, okay I ordered this but it's okay if you don't do what I ordered..no problem, we'll still make mother (who btw isn't getting support) and who is unemployed and living with parents pay for all visitations to and from Arizona to California, oh and not only that, make sure if you're visiting California..you need to give him an overnight visit!!! Where the he-- is the justice in that?

Now, mind you, we have all intention on keeping father involved in grandson's life, however, why is it that the grandparents are expected to fund the cost of getting child here/there but father not?? What kinda crap is that??

And limit mother to a specific airport even if one nearby is..flights are cheaper? Who cares..mother's paying, not father, and we wouldn't even think of making this a bit of a hardship on father!!!! CRAP! and then to be told (threatened) in taking her son away is uncalledfor. But that's okay, because this ruling commissioner hasn't heard the last of us. He has expressed his opinion regarding my husband's feelings toward the father without really knowing how my husband feels at all!!! Shame on him.

Why does it seem that the people who are following the law, are the ones who are never appreciated when the deadbeats and the nonfollowers get away with m der?
I worry about our Courts! They are terribly screwed up!!!

Sorry to go get on my soap box, but it's just not right!!! Perhaps if she didn't follow the Court order, then maybe some chastising might be expected but to hold this over her head...what kinda crap is that?

This has been a very hard, long, nervewrecking, costly trial. Like I said ..we won, but it just doesn't seem so sweet as it would if the commissioner wasn't so judgmental of our daughter for no means. All I know is we will be documenting, photographing, recording everything that happens, times etc because from the way the judge gave him every excuse he definitely isn't on my daughter's side and I'm sure we haven't had our last day in Court.

Our poor daughter has been through the wringer..a few weeks ago her and I went grocery shopping and came out and discovered a red car parked next to us had MAJORLY banged their passenger door into my daughter's car. My daughter had just had bodywork done on her car with a new paint job about a year ago. Red paint was on her white car and vice versa on their door. Nonetheless the jerk wasn't even smart enough to move his car! of course he didn't leave a note with his insurance info either. So we walked inside and had security help us..they photographed it and paged the party who never responded. So the police were called, came and then out comes the wild, lowlife guy prancing around like he was strung out on dope; who started to yell at the cop; calling the black card and how the cop was taking these white ladies word for everything,on our side etc and he wasn't admitting to hitting the car; or paying for it and we weren't getting any info from him. You can imagine the look on his face when my husband shows up and is black as well!! HA priceless!

Let me tell you what!! If I were a cop, his ass would have been put in my cruiser immediately, but this cop had the patience of Job and finally after he kept arguing with the cop he told him he either gives us his info or he'll take a trip to the station and be charged with hit and run; which he already committed! okayyy..sounds good..he finally gives him the info; however, the police took our address which we had to provide (that law needs to be changed!!!) and we went on our way. Why was it that I really expected something to happen in response to that??? Was it cuz he's a lowlife LA freekin jerk? hmm I wonder...BUT our daughter leaves to take our grandson to school on his first day and she says something smells of fire inside her car...we had a forest fire nearby the day before but that's not it!! Here her whole dash is ripped out, destroyed, her window is not going up or down; and lastly there was a fire set on the passengers side! WOW..now does that sound like something someone would have done in retaliation??

Our only recourse is to file another police report on this and pay a $300 deductible on her insurance to have it fixed. What kinda crap is that??? Another injustice! However, they left a cigarette butt in the car...the police took it but they are so overloaded and underbudget that I'm sure they won't be pursuing whose DNA is on that. Maybe they should turn it over to the insurance company, ya think???

This all happened in the middle of the trial and it's the hottest days of summer it's been in the desert and she can't even open her windows and her a/c compressor went out!! Talk about Satan attacking?? Please keep us in prayer or well wishes or what have you. We don't deserve this Karma, believe me. I think this was a test to see how my body responds to stress!!!

August in Bloom

August is in full bloom here in Southern California. Still hot days and we finally got our pool going. Our grandson is having a blast, I swear he's a water rat hehe not afraid of getting his head wet, that's for sure. He started swimming lessons today, not that he needed them but I believe it can never hurt to have too many lessons. We always make sure he wears a lifejacket when he swims..too many sorry accidents happen in pools.

I'm glad to have it for some relief of my back pain I've been having. There's nothing like cold or I should say cool water to soothe the aches. I prefer cold over heat anyday.

Wanted to do a shout out about my nephew, Kory Rabenold, who has been racing ever since he was a baby.

He's trying so hard to get picked up by NASCAR but lives in such a small town in PA (Slatington) where it's been difficult. Check out his racing page HERE . He just completed an ARCA race this past Sunday in the Poconos. He finished 15th place which is really good. We are SO proud of him. The race was televised on the Speed channel so you might still be able to see it. Way to go Kory!! Aunt Sharon's in your corner!

Moving right along, I've gotten a way-too-slow start on fall creations but hope to start offering some new ones soon.

The newest issue of Create n Decorate should be hitting the shelves soon with my newest pattern for fall in my ad, Pumpkin Pete.

He's 31 1/2" tall and full of primfall greatness! Check him out HERE .

In this tough economy, unfortunately, copycats have hit a few good designer friends of mine lately. One even went so far as to post that she can't afford the $200 that the designers dolls are going for on Ebay, that she decided to make her own and sell it on Ebay!!!!!!!!!! Talk about blatant!!! Now, does that shout of stupid or what?? I have had my copycats in my days and believe me, it's maddening! They wait and watch to see what hard work you've come up with for a design and then just simply steal and take what they want and then claim it as an original? Original what??? Copy?? Of course the copy is never near as good as the original work of the hardworking, clever, well designed, quality artist that created it! Even if they don't make the big dollars that the true original goes for, nonetheless, they are getting paid and feeding that copycat nature to just repeat it again.

To all copycats out there..there are enough patterns on the market to choose from, that allow you to make their designs, stick with those, especially when you don't know what the he.. you're doing!!!

Some people's children!

Sorry it seems the last few posts have been somewhat negative, but that's life and being a participant on the designer end of it is no fun!! Just hard work. We don't just sit around and magically the ideas come to mind!

C'mon this isn't elementary school anymore folks! Grow up!!!

Here's to some R&R..lord knows I need some.

MOVING INTO AUGUST

Can you really believe that I am blogging 3 times in one month?? Wow, I'm doing good.

How's your summer going? Mine's been okay. A few minor setbacks but still hot and going strong.

I did go to the Long Beach Quilt Show but was somewhat disappointed in it. Not near as many vendors, no will-call available on the same floor..they had one on the 2nd floor ..but with someone who has trouble carrying big packages and trepping a story to drop them off that doesn't help me! C'mon you promoters for this show!!! Think!!!!

At Road to California shows they have boy scouts that do will call and it's available right in the front on that floor.

Worse yet, I asked security where's a water fountain..he said on the 2nd floor! Liar!!! There was one in the food court where I purchased my bottle of water to take my pills.

On another note, my daughter was along and she loved the show. So I spent most of my money on her. She needs a diversion from all the Court stuff. BTW as it was not handled last Court date our next one is in a few weeks. I'm very hopeful that this will all be rectified then and she can get on with her life.

One booth that I adored wasLazy Daisy Cottage . Dana has some awesome stuff and my dd and I adored her minki stripped quilts. Check them out...she screams of talent!!!

Another fantastic designer I found, who had the only primitive dolls that I saw is Gunny Sack Mercantile

I adore her angelic skeleton pattern and all her stuff..check out the icicles!! Adorable! I was able to purchase these 2 patterns (which I rarely purchase any patterns) and I fully intend to make at least one to sell and promote her designs. She really has a great primitive eye. So stop by her site and give a shout out to Donna Stevens (not related to me)and tell her Sharon Stevens/Mustardseed sentcha! She's a sweetheart!

Her friend has some great quilting patterns as well. I'm not sure if she has her stuff on the site but I'm sure Donna could tell you.

How many of you believe in Karma? You know>>what goes around, eventually will come around?? Well I am a firm believer in this. I've seen it happen way too many times to not believe it. Anyways I'm also a believer in giving back and helping newer, less exposed artists giving them a boost if I can through my business. Promote these new designers..don't look at it as competition..competition is good!! So with this post I am asking that you check out these sites I gave you. You never know what you'll find.

Okay...my last complaint of this post is regarding our famous "Martha Stewart". A well known designer posted something on Facebook about MS promoting India artists work and asking that we Americans purchase their art as they need money. Well what out American artists??? Hey I have my hand waving in the air when the question is posed who is having tough time in this economy!!! Martha Stewart> You are welcome to come to my house anytime and promote my business!! We don't need a celebrity from America, no less, going to a foreign country to sell imports!!! We have enough imports here that we are competing with!!!Give me a break!!!

I want you, Martha Stewart, to know that I personally will be BOYCOTTING any purchase of your designs, or products you endorse etc. Maybe I don't purchase enough MS stuff..but if we all do this, maybe she'll get the message. Better yet, write her! I plan to! But then like my husband says, it's all about money and who is paying her to do this. Yea..the good ole buckeroo!

Okay I'll get off my soapbox. Make sure you check out TDIPT Mercantile after 9:00 pm EST for the August issue of our site. I'm sure there will be some awesome designs for fall too!!

And I'll leave you with a page from the first issue of PRIMS magazine where they featured my dolls.

See ya later