Tuesday and Ten Days to Go

Christmas is coming whether we are ready or not...I am more on the not side...Yikes!  This weekend it looks like I am going to be at the mall with all the other crazy last minute shoppers...and I will be in my craft room as much as possible finishing up some handmade gifts for friends and loved ones.  So much to do and not enough hours in the day!!

While we go about doing the last bit of shopping, just remember THE Reason for this Season!  God bless!!

 

Some Bloggy Goodness ~ Check It Out!!

I found the most wonderful page of  FREE blog templates with the all important 3 column set-up.

  It is LeeLou Blogs!!

If I knew what I was doing I could post a screen shot...but I don't so you will have to head on over and check it out.  My layout is called Long Johns...I just followed the easy steps on the the blog and I was able to spruce up my little space online!  I think it goes well with my logo and it has the all important (to me at least) 3 column design.  This is the first time ever I was able to use a template and actually get it to work!!!  Kudos to LeeLou Blogs...I will be heading back to see what other goodies are for free!!!

PS - you can download a cute desktop too!!

 

Get This Free Friday!!

Please visit Lucky Ladybug Designs and purchase this item....

Lil' Ditty Bag

and get a mini key fob FREE!!! (13 are currently listed)*

 *Key fob price will be refunded via Paypal....offer good until Midnight December 11, 2009!!!

  

This soft and warm Fun Fur Hat and Scarf set was just relisted...what a great set to give this holiday season!!!

Pretty Posh Bowtique

Through Facebook I have reconnected with a friend from a couple of jobs ago.  Her name is Rachael and she makes beautiful bows and more.  Her shop is Pretty Posh Bowtique and here is a sample of her gorgeous work!

Headbands for only $6.00

 

Isn't this set adorable for the holidays? Reasonably priced at $20!!

 

This is her little girl...looks like a super model in the making!!

 

 Storybook Photography By Shelly took this picture of Eden. Her website is www.storybookphotographybyshelly.com

Stop by her shop and tell her that you found her by way of Lucky Ladybug Designs!!!

Cooking Up Some Christmas Gifts

I love making handmade/homemade gifts.  One of the easiest and most appreciated gifts around the holiday is food!  I am always looking for new ideas to give away to friends and co-workers.  So many people do cookies and candy that I like to find something different.  In my search for new ideas, I came across this fabulous website. 

http://www.ourbestbites.com/

I have only just begun to explore the possibilities.  My head is swimming with ideas for food gifts! I think some of these suggestions are relatively inexpensive and fairly easy.  I invite you to check out this site and find some great ideas beyond cookies and fudge for holiday giving!

Introducing...

Jasper...the lovely little cat that adopted us! Here he is at the vet. We found out he is about a year old. He is typically a calm kitty. He has his playful and silly moments too.

He doesn't mind being held and has been known to eat a dog biscuit or two when Max isn't looking.

The dog and cat are getting along. We are amazed at how well Max has handled this addition. We would have never thought in a million years that we would add a cat to our home but Jasper picked us and he is a keeper!!

My Wednesday WIP

Do you have many WIPs? WIP = Work In Progress. I have a few I am working on. I put most aside to create some Christmas items. This is one that I came up with by myself.

I remember the Christmas wreath pins I had when I was younger. They were crocheted and embellished. Every December it would be pinned to my "good coat" that I wore to church on Sundays. Feeling a bit nostalgic, I came up with a pattern that gives you the same idea.

The first thing I did was buy some of my new favorite yarn. It is called Loops & Threads Impeccable worsted. It is only available at Michael's. It has the same feel as Vanna's Choice but you get more in a skein for about the same money.

I started with an H hook but switched to a G hook and it looks better to me. Here are the instructions.

Lucky Ladybug's Christmas Wreath*

• a small amount of Loops & Threads Impeccable in Kelly Green


• G hook


• Embellishments

1. Ch. 10 and slp st in first ch to form ring


2. Chain 5 and slp st at the bottom of the first chain 6. There should be a total of 15 loops.


3. Weave in ends and embellish as desired.

I took a picture with my cell phone so you could see my WIP. They only take about ten minutes start to finish.

There are a number of things you can use these little wreaths for besides making pins. I thought about sewing them together to make a garland. Using them as ornaments or as a tie on to special gifts. The wreaths could even be used to embellish other Christmas crafts. Just use your imagination!!

*This pattern is for your personal use only. Please do not sell items or duplicate the pattern for sale without the permission of Lucky Ladybug Designs!

Dusting Off the Cobwebs!!

Dusting off the cobwebs is appropriate for this time of year. I have not blogged in ages! As you can see from my last post, I was involved in show. Then, once it closes, it is time to catch up on everything I couldn't do during the run. I now finally feel rested and caught up and ready to once again start posting.

It is time to get ready for the season of holidays that begins with Halloween...

by IMCreations

and ends at New Year's Day...

by Letterhappy

In the middle of all that is Thanksgiving...

by Holiday Designs

and Hanukkah...

by Tamerhammer

and of course, Christmas!

by Studio JK

Three months of celebrations!!! I hope you are ready...there are only 73 shopping days until Christmas!

My Fair Lady ~ Opening Weekend!

What a weekend! I haven't posted in quite awhile because I have been busy with rehearsals for "My Fair Lady" at Footlite Musicals in Indianapolis. The week before the show opens equals long rehearsals and total exhaustion. Once you step on to the stage in front of an audience the hard work is worth it. I am lucky to be sharing the stage with my daughter again! Here is a picture of us and members of the cockney ensemble.

The lovely thing about this show is we also get to dress-up as proper upper-crust ladies for another scene! I'd say, we clean up rather well!

Community theater is so much fun and filled with so many talented and dedicated people. We are enjoying ourselves and will get to perform for two more weekends so if you are in Indy...come by Footlite Musicals and enjoy our show!! Check out this blog for a review of the show!

Green the Color of Money

Wow ~ another FFEST Treasury! Check it out and make a comment! Thank you AngelqueCreations for including my Pretty Pincushion!!

Blog Carnival ~ What Am I Proud Of?

There are many ways to answer this question but I will try and focus on just a few. The first thing that comes to mind is I am proud that I am a strong person. Fifteen years ago I don't think I could have made that statement. But, through a divorce and the aftermath, I believe I have become a much stronger person. Details aren't important and there is no need to rehash the past. I have adopted the attitude of "look at it, learn from it and move on."

I am proud that I dug up enough courage to step back on the stage again after many, many years. Through community theater I have been blessed with so many good friends. After high school and college, I didn't even consider that there might be another opportunity to be a part of a theatrical production again. I am grateful that I have been allowed more than opportunity and I plan to make the most of it.

Through it all, I am proud that I work to maintain a healthy positive outlook. One must have an attitude of gratitude. Have that and it seems that everything else will fall into place. I hope that you will find that attitude and it brings you peace!

Got Me a Laptop!!

I am so excited. I finally got a laptop!!! I had some issues with a wireless connection but after trying and failing with an aircard, I opted for a wireless router and I am free to sit on the couch and surf the net.

I am pretty darn proud of myself! I managed to get the router hooked up, password protected and working as I type! I hope that in the next few weeks this will help me keep up with this blog.

I am off to catch up on all my bloggy friends!!

Iraqi Bundles of Love

Are you addicted to fabric and yarn and have as stash that has taken over shelves, closets and maybe entire rooms???? Here is a perfect solution ~ donate to Iraqi Bundles of Love. Please read the quote below for more information and visit the blog to learn how you can participate! This weekend I know I am going through my fabric and yarns stash and donating to this worthy cause!


Iraqi Bundles of Love — the intro « Iraqi Bundles of Love: "The general premise is this. I am in Iraq, and I can get mail through the US Postal System. Willing contributors can send to me a flat-rate box of sewing / quilting supplies, all bundled up. I’d open the box, pull out the fully-contained bundle, and hand it off (with others) to our counterparts in the Iraqi Security Forces (Army and others) or the local police, for them to distribute. Some of the bundles will also be delivered by US Soldiers. The stated intent of this operation is to put sewing and quilting and knitting supplies into the hands of two types of recipients: locals who desperately need such things, and local sewing co-ops and other small businesses who have received grants or loans (typically to purchase sewing machines, rent space, etc)."

What a big Pay It Forward this is! I know that I am blessed with more than enough. Some of my fabric and yarn has sat in bins and boxes for too long. The potential is wasted as long as it stays in that box. We take far too much for granted. Just imagine if how the recipients will feel when they open each bundle. What joy such a small gesture will bring to someone in need.

Time is limited for this project!! Please visit the IBOL blog and you will find all the information you need to obtain the address and how-to's on packing your bundle. God bless our military men and women.

LisaJHoney is Featured

I was just going through my emails and I opened my daily delivery from CraftGossip.com. To my delight at the very end was a picture that looked very familar...a member of our FFESTy family has been featured!!!

Lisa Johnson is an extremely talented artist. Her felt creations make my mouth water! Here is a sampling of her lovely work...

WE are proud to have Lisa as a member of the Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST) and look forward to seeing more of her faux mouth-watering creations!!

The Little Thread that Could

I am constantly amazed at the power of the internet. On July 20, 2009 I began a thread on the Etsy forum just to get enough fans so that my Facebook fan page could have a simpler URL. Did I even think that over a month later I would still be posting to that thread? Well, of course not! Not only is the thread over 800 posts long, but there are at least a couple of posts on the thread daily.

As the thread became active, I had the bright idea of forming a group on Facebook. Through that group I met some really nice and talented Estians. Then I made the comment about an Etsy Street Team for Facebook Fans. Before I knew the core group came together and we started laying the foundation for our team.

Last week, FFEST (Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team) became official and we are slowly adding to our membership ranks. There are some awesome members who are planning contests, giveaways, scavenger hunts etc. We have an official FFEST forum, a Blog, a very vibrant banner and avatar, and a twitter account.

When I began the facebook fans thread did I even consider that it would turn into a team? Nope! But I am sure happy it did! Please stop by the thread and fan some pages...and ♥ some shops!

When fanning a fan page on FB, make sure you leave the link to your fan page. That makes it so much easier to fan you back!! If you go through the Etsy thread you will find hundreds of pages to fan! Good luck on reaching the goal of 100 for the vanity URL! And don't forget to stop by the Etsy shops and leave a heart or two...it is just good karma!!

Aug 28 Blog Carnival - Favorite Food

This is a tough question...I have lots of foods I love to eat. There are certain times of the year when I enjoy some favorites, like fresh cucumbers and tomatoes right out of the garden. Then there are the special dishes like macaroni and cheese made from scratch that we only have during the holidays. On the coldest days of winter, homemade chicken soup would be my favorite. There are just too many to pick from.

Then it hit me...crab cakes! Not just any crab cakes! I LOVE the ones we get at Oceanaire Restaurant. I can't even begin to describe them. No fillers, just pure sweet lump crabmeat. I have always loved crab since growing up on the east coast and eating them on picnic tables covered in paper and the cooked crabs just dumped in the middle. Everyone would grab some crabs and a wooden hammer and a nut cracker and go to town. When every one was finished there would only be a large pile of shells left. Tough to get crabs like that in landlocked Indy!

That's it...my favorite food...crab cakes! Yum!

August Etsyblogger - Memories for Life Scrapbooks

I was so excited to hear that Edi from Memories for Life Scrapbooks was chosen as the August Etsyblogger! This gal is talented with a capital T! She makes the cutest scrapbooks. I love all her embellishments! She is an active and supportive member of the Etsybloggers team. She is always the one to post a comment on a friend's blog. Here is a small sample of her creations...

FAMILY album for Christmas giving

Aren't these Flip Flop albums darling?

This is picture perfect for the pet lover!

How about this trendy little notebook?

Edi's items are reasonably priced and very well-made. I hope you will stop by her shop and leave a heart or two.

Watch Out ~ There's a New Team In Town!!

Just about a month ago, I started a thread in the Etsy forums to gain my Facebook Fans for my Etsy shop's fan page. Little did I know that 68 pages and 668 posts later the thread would still be alive and well. Please visit the thread if you are looking for people to fan your page. This all lead to a discussion on Facebook about forming a team. One little comment began to snowball until....

Facebook Fans on Etsy Street Team (FFEST)was born!!

I must thank the following wonderful people that went above and beyond the call of duty to see this through!

Missy of Miss Moose Designs

Heather of aktie9

Cheryl of CherylsPurpleCow

Angela of Amievoltaire

Talina of RipperArts

Vickie ~ leader of the Etsy Twitter Team and shop owner of InMyHeadStudios

And there are others I will save for another post. Please stop by these shops!! Also, look for the tag, FFEST, to find other Facebook Fans on Etsy.

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

Each Friday I am featuring a fan of my Facebook fan page. Today's Featured Facebook Fan is...

Matt of Glasstastic!!!

What first caught my eye was his colorful avatar. I had been given advice once to have a colorful and unique avatar so people will remember your shop...his fits the bill! I browsed his shop and found a number of glass items that I would love to have and that would be perfect for gift giving! Below you will find a few items that I like.

Stained Glass Business Card Holder

Celtic Knot Suncatcher - it actually looks like it was woven!

Old World Santa/St. Nick Suncather

As I browsed I saw that there quilted items available...a man that sews beautifully, who knew?

Goose Droppings Mini Wall Quilt

So please stop by Glasstastic and browse the wonderful items. Also, visit his Facebook Fan Page and fan him (as I write this he has 38 fans)...if you leave your page link I think he just might fan you back!!

Go and make it an awesome day!!

God bless!!

What's Up Wednesday!!!

Do I have news?! Lots of happenings in my life and online. Blessings are abundant in my life and I am so grateful. Here is a bit of what has been happening...

On Monday, my daughter, Emily, and I auditioned for "My Fair Lady" together. I was keeping my fingers and toes crossed we would both make the show. We got the calls last night and we are in the ensemble together! We did this a couple of years ago at the same theater and it was fun. I can't wait to get started!

Last night, I had a night off from theater since we are finished rehearsing the current show I am in, Fiddler on the Roof, and we have only two more shows this weekend. I decided to start getting the crap...oops!....I mean, Craft room back in order. Over this summer it had become a haven for anything that came under the category of "Where should we put it?". The answer always seemed to be the craft room. I did get a great start...there is now a walkway to my craft table, my beading supplies are all in one spot, fabric scraps are together in one basket and my table has been cleared of miscellaneous paperwork! It is still not pretty but it is a much better work environment.

As I was putting things away, I started to look at the tubs of finished items I have...and I have more than I thought I did! I really need to get to posting these items! I have some cloche hats that need just a little embellishment, scarves, more cotton cloths, and other various crocheted items looking for a new home. My goal is to get photos and postings done by September 1. That gives me almost a month so that seems doable. Plus, I can't sell them if I don't post them.

Another thing that has been occupying my time is Facebook. I truly believe that this can be a great networking tool for sellers on Etsy. I began a thread in the Etsy forums on July 20th asking "Do you need Facebook fans?" I am amazed this thread still has life!!! I just wanted to get over 100 fans for my Etsy shop's facebook fan page. I am quickly coming up on 270 and I have began a group on Facebook called Facebook Fans on Etsy. It has already gotten 101 members! That tells me this is a direction that needs to be explored. If you have any tech savy and would like to help, please let me know!! I could definitely learn from you!

That's a bit of catching up for now...next time I will try and post something lovely with pictures! Don't forget to check back on Friday when I feature one of my Facebook Fans!!!

God bless!

~gloria

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

This Friday's Featured Facebook Fan is......

Behind this beautiful Etsy shop is Cheryl Patterson! Here is a link to her Facebook Fan Page. She makes a variety of items from felted wool. She is a fellow Hoosier, too!

This is just a peek at her wonderful creations you can find in her Etsy shop...

Blue Flower Basket Handbag with removeable brooch

Merlot Stripes Cat

Purple Poppy Felted Brooch

Flower Garden Felted Wool Pillow

Cheryl ~ thank you for becoming a fan of Lucky Ladybug Designs! I hope this feature brings more fans to your page and your shop!

Another Opening, Another Show

Some of you might remember that I love community theater. For the past few months I have been rehearsing for another show. Tonight we open to a preview audience. Here is my portrayal of Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof....

After the show, I hope I get a chance to catch my breath and get some crafting done!

Also Known As

As I was cruising around the internet to all my favorite sites; Facebook, Etsy, Indiana Auditions, Yahoo, Blogger, I realized I have too many identities!! Who am I? I am not quite sure I know. Here are some of my identities.

glorybe1024 ~ I used this for my main email account. You know, the one you don't give out when shopping online. I also used this for my Etsy shop which I signed up for before the birth of Lucky Ladybug Designs. I never thought to open another shop so I will just stick with the one I have.

Gloria Thomas Bray ~ my original identity that I use on my facebook profile. It has been wonderful to connect with friends I haven't seen since high school.

gjbdiva ~ This is my yahoo id. I use this email for offers online that I think will share my email. I have also used it for my shorten FB link www.facebook.com/gjbdiva I don't typically chat on yahoo but I could use it for that.

mamadiva ~ this is my name on indianaauditions.com, a great site for theater peeps in Indiana.

Luckyladybugdesigns ~ my fan page on FB and my fun little etsy shop. I also use Lucky Ladybug on Plurk!

That is all I can think of for now...I am sure there are a few I have forgotten. How about you? How many identities do you have?

Friday Feature ~ Facebook Fan

Recently, I have been working on my Facebook Fan page. In order to get a simplified URL, the page needs 100 fans. What better way than posting on the Etsy Promotion forum. The response has been incredible! I am still getting people adding to the thread after 5 days!! I have a total of 167 fans and achieved my goal of shortening my link to http://www.facebook.com/luckyladybugdesigns

Along the way I have visited the pages and etsy shops of many extremely creative crafters. I believe in paying it forward to someone who needs some assistance in getting more fans for their Facebook page. My Friday Feature will be dedicated to one of those pages that needs some love to get to the 100 fan goal. I hope you will take time and visit the facebook page and shop of the featured artist.

Enough explanation...now for the feature....(drumroll please!).....

This Friday's Feature is the Facebook page of......

MadeWithClayAndLove!!!!

As of today, this page has a total of 64 fans...and it deserves tons more!!! Please stop by and visit and fan this lovely Etsy artisan! Here is the link to her shop on Etsy!

Some of my favorites from her shop are:

The Artist's Palette Keychain

I can't help but smile at The Knitting Sheep

Here is an elegant Pink Rose and Baby Blue necklace

And finally the World's Smallest Sewing Machine!!

I hope you have enjoyed exploring the world of MadeWithClayandLove. Become a fan and don't forget to heart her shop!!! I am sure she will return the favor!

Thank you for reading my blog. May you enjoy many blessings today and always!

Gloria

LuckyLadybugDesigns