Viruses from visiting way too many blogs?

Since I started using Entrecard a LOT and visiting every blog possible, my computer started acting funny and hubby found 45 funky little things.....this is making me re-think using this venue as means of traffic...

Has this happened to anyone?

Bags full with Bath and Body products from different sellers! Grab yours now!

What IS EGCG Swag Bags?
The Swag bags are a collection of 18 generous sample-sized products from different Bath & Body shops - all members of EGCG ( Etsy Green & Clean Guild!) It's a great way to try different products from different shops at the same time. It's also a great Mother's Day gift idea!
Another awesome feature is that your EGCG Swag Bag is a special reusable, eco-friendly shopping bag! So make sure you put it to good use long after you use the products.

What's IN it?
This round, we have a variarity of handmade bath soaps, lip balms, lotions, facial soaps, laundry soap, candles, bath fizzy, body mist, sugar cube scrub....wonderful goodies!

Where to get them?
Swag Bags will be available on April 15th on EGCG Etsy's shop.

Participating shops:

Morgan Street.
Bunny Butt Apothecary.
Spa Therapy Works.
Right As Rain Creations.
The Bath Project
DressGreen
Jadewicks
You Stink Soap
Shower Treat Soap
Sweet Creek Herbs
Farnham Soaps
Kelle's Kitchen
Mea Culpa Body and Bath
Inseine Creations
Rachel Rene
Grumpy Girl
SudzNThings
Mirasolfarm

A big thanks to Shannon of The Bath Project who originally authored this post

Dyed my hair and I hate it! Now what?

Well....first to say that I am a natural (very dark) redhead and I wanted change...usually I get some highlights and looks good, but I wanted something little darker.


Sooooo.....here I go at the store looking at the hair dyes and mulling over which one to get. My hair is not very good at accepting color.....I liked the look of the Medium Golden Brown and picked that.


Well....nope, it was not bad, but I couldnt SEE any change! It was darker just for a little tone and thats it!


Back at the store.....I picked the color that almost everyone (except 1) is putting an X on as a No-No for me - I get Soft Black.


Couple hours later and here I am, with black hair, white face and looking like something is sitting on top of my head - its sooooo not natural and sooo not fitting :-(


Can I go with a light brown now to lighten it up? Will it take the dye? I am desperate, I dont even wanna leave the house looking like this! My husband LOVES it because it gives him the whole "different person" outlook to me (you know what I mean), but IMO, its just way too dark


Here are some pix for some visual aid...lol.....I know they are of bad quality, but my bathroom lights are the worst lights to use! They would make ANYONE look like they just rose from the dead! Hate them! So, I didnt use them

More jewelery porn!!!

Oh...how I wish I had all the money in the world!!!! I would buy all these precious pieces of gems, all the tribal chokers and cuffs and pendants and dream catchers and...and....and.....everything!!!!

Next find is Alisuns at ArtFire..yeah, yeah, ArtFire again! When I opened her store and took a look inside...wow.....my jaw dropped and my eyes jumped out of my eye sockets!!! Dont laugh at me for trying to fit in macedonian words translated in english and then fit into a sentence - I know it sounds silly, but it makes perfect sense to me.......lol


Today I present you with these few drooling worthy items (if you want, you can click on the picture to be taken straight to the listing):





Moss Agate, Jasper and Jade Choker!!!! It looks so perfect, soooo earthy and calm and peacefull....I gotta stop before I go and buy it ona whim!!!

Isnt it pretty? I havent seen a necklace like this








Agate freeform Arrow Shaped pendant on sterling ..............do I need utter a word? I like the cut and how I can see the gem just as if you are looking at the precious trunk of tree with all those....eh.....how do you call them? My loss of words is sometimes killing the magic I wanna make!!!!







Budha Resin silver plated necklace - nope, this is not a gem nor a crystal....but I picked it as a favorite becuase it feautures His Holyness Budha and I would loe to have this around to remind me to be patient, to love everyone and everything and to work on myself!!!!

I am a Queen of the Blog!!!! Imagine THAT!

My awesome blog-friend Duni, from Lovely Purses has passed on yet another award for me! This time I am a Queen of the Blog! Thank you so much Duni! Make sure you visit her colorful blog! She makes the cutest little purses and pouches with nice, calming and vivid pastel colors and prints.....you WILL fall in love with them!







Now.....I have to pass this award to some other Queens:


A Pagan Tapestry

An Ultraviolet Wind

Confessions of a Kitchen Witch

Shi Jewels

What made me laugh yesterday......these magnets!

PicardCreative at ArtFire has these magnets that every time I look at them, they crack me up! She is using recycled materials to create something planet friendly AND amusing!

Tell me what you think of these magnets of hers that made me crack a smile:







Ha ha!!! Domestically challenged! Just looking at her pose and sly smile then reading the words makes me say - hell yeah!!!


lol


















lol.....aint this the truth?
















Teeeee heeeeee!!!! LOL













Click on the pix so you an be taken straight in her store! You will have a blast!

The road leads to The Jewelery Shop!

Oh, how I like this kind of jewelery! Love to wear those gems that actually have some energy to share with us!


The Jewelery Shop at ArtFire has these beautiful pieces that I want to steal from her so bad!




This is her Howlite and Sterling bracelet. Do you know the properties of howlite?

The stone of emotional expression, howlite can be used to facilitate awareness, encourage calm communication by combining reason with patience and observation. Howlite gently absorbs and uplifts stress, tension, anxiety and emotional intensity due to emotional imbalance. Howlite works by helping one to build decency of character. It shows us how to be less selfish, confrontational and less critical. This is a good stone to help eliminate rage and anger. Howlite increases action, dissolves hesitation as it encourages ambition towards one's goals. Although this stone in white in pure form, Howlite is most effective on the HeartChakra center, bringing greater gentleness, patience and tact. Howlite has been used in the past for astral traveling and accessing past lives. It has a strong spiritual connection to the past, as it can lead you to a stronger spiritual future. This can be done by placing the stone at the Third EyeChakra. It therefore makes for a wonderful meditation stone.

Folk Remedies: This crystal is a recommended stone for bones, teeth, and other calcium aspects of the body. It has been known to treat soft tissue injuries such as strains, sprains and contusions, while helping with pain management. Use Howlite as an elixir or essence for insomnia. The stone can be placed under your pillow as well. Use howlite in a grid around your bed to also help with poor sleep issues, especially those caused by over thinking.

Feng Shui: Howlite is used primarily anywhere to help bring change. Used in the Southeast direction, in the Center for balance and spirituality and in the Northeast for wisdom.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/stones.htm#H

This is her Green Jadeite and Sterling Pendant. OMG, how I love these deep greens! It makes me feel calm and content with myself...huh....now that I think of it, I might have to start wearing mine again.

Wanna know a bit more about what green jade can do for you?

The ancient Chinese culture has revered Jade for centuries. Jade is considered the health, wealth and longevity stone. used also for courage, wisdom, justice, mercy, emotional balance, stamina, love, fidelity, humility, generosity, peace, harmony. Jade is known as androgynous, therefore it is considered having a gentle, steady pulse of healing energy. Jade is found in different colors and can be used on the appropriate Chakra based on its color. Properties common to all colors of Jade include its ability to mellow one's existence. Helps one rid themselves of negative thoughts and energy. Very beneficial to the heart in both physical and spiritual senses. It is a very protective stone and will keep its wearer out of harm's way. Jade bounds us to our earth energies and physical instincts. Jade is a humbling stone.

Folk Remedies: Jade works with the lungs, heart, thymus, immune, kidney and blood detoxification, nervous system. While all Jade has some healing influence, each color relates more specifically to certain ailments or organs. Strengthens the body's filtration and cleansing systems and assists in the removal of toxins.

Feng Shui: Jade is used in positive directions for longevity and a good life. Used in the Center area for harmony and balance, in the Northeast area for wisdom and in the Southwest area for love and partnership. (Be sure to use two stones together in this area, never one or three).

Green Jade: Most common. Very calming to the nervous system. The color green is representative of life or growth. Helps one channel passions in a constructive way, making expressions of love easier.

Inroducing new scents:

I am so happy to announce the newest additions to my scent choices, look for them either in my etsy or artfire store:

Etsy Buy Handmade MeaCulpaBodyandBath

MeaCulpaBodyandBath

Buy Handmade

JASMINE CASSIS - Cassis, Black Currant, Valencia, Jasmine, Muguet Petals, Peppermint, Rosewood, Amber, Musk

RAINFOREST - Jasmine, Florals, Citrus, Light Woods

RAINFLOWERS - Heliotrope, Rain, Cashmere Musk

PEACE AND LOVE - Valencia, Rice Flower, Star Jasmine, Oak Moss, Ylang-Ylang

COOKIE AND CREAM PIE - Brown Sugar, Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip, Vanilla, Rum

CASHMERE AND COTTON - Pomelo, Bergamot, Light Milk, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli

PINK SUGAR - Blend of Cotton Candy, Musk, Jasmine
Compared to: Aqualina

GRAPEFRUIT PETITGRAIN - Grapefruit Nectar, Tangerine, Petitgrain, Lily, Citrus

GUAVA FIG - Apple, Cassis, Pear, Guava

GOJI BERRY BLISS - Blackberry, Goji Berry, Sweet Valencia, Pomegranate, Loganberry, Gooseberry, Vanilla Cream, Sugar Musk, Musk

ABALONE AND SEA - Daylily, Sea Shell Abalone, Lime, Ozonic, Sea Spray Accord, Rose, Jasmine, Freesia, Lily, Beach Daisy, Woods, Musk, Marine

MEDITERANIAN FIG Blend of Fig, Amber, Sandalwood, Lemon

LOLITA Blend of Lemon, Orange, Cashmere, Sandalwood

SENDERO for men - Yankee Midsummernight Type

CHERRY BLOSSOM - BBW Type

VANILLA HAZELNUT

GINGER PEACH - Pier1 Type

MOROCCAN SANDS Blend of Carnation, Sandalwood, and Musk


STRAWBERRY JAM

ACAI BERRY & SATIN Blend of Aci Berries, Lemon, Strawberry, Lily, Rose

BEACH Blend of Sand, Sea Spray, Salt, Jasmine, Mandrin

SEX ON MY MIND - Very Sexy for Men VS Type

SWEET PEAR

MARGARITA LIME

BENEATH THE STARS Grape, Peach, Citrus, Plum, Rose and Musk.

MANGO SORBET Blend of Mango, Raspberry, Lemon

POMEGRANATE BENDEL Blend of Pomegranate, Pineapple, Guava, Musk

BLUE RASPBERRY

PAPAYA

ROSE GARDEN

GREEN APPLE

CUCUMBER

DESERT ROSE Blend of roses and sandalwood

MIDNIGHT POMEGRANATE Blend of Pomegranate, Orange, Cinnamon, Vanilla


BETWEEN THE SHEETS Blend of Lily of the Valley, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Light Musk

RASPBERRY CREAM

BLACK RASPBERRY VANILLA Blend of Raspberry, Plum, Vanilla

JUNIPER BREEZE

We have a winner for the bi-monthly sweepstakes!!!

So....two months worth of purchases and working my butt off....it was time to award some of the people that stopped by my store to shop!


I decided to give away a 2oz Body Icing scented with the unique scent of Pomegranate. This is truly one of kind, I have bought pomegranate from different people and this one just sticks out as the best one!


I hope I am going to hear from Brenda about this. I sure hope she is not gonna take my email as a spam and just delete it without reading or maybe she will read and think its a scam :-(


If this happens, I will just have to draw the names again

Who hides behind CaterpillarPeacock?

Sooo....who is behind this cute shop on ArtFire? Her name is Lindsey and she is making these cute hats and needle felted jewelery - like Ivy and Calla Lilies.....she also does custom work, so whatver idea you have in your head, she can put it in material form!

Your name:

Lindsey

Where in the world are you?

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Your website/blog/shop link

http://caterpillarpeacock.artfire.com http://caterpillarpeacock.blogspot.com

>

Briefly describe yourself and what you make:

I'm a big weirdo, through and through. I like strange things that make me laugh. If you've ever seen the show Clone High, I like to think that it's my EXACT sense of humour. Funny and ironic, and kinda off kilter. This helps explain what I make, teeny tiny hats. I crochet them first and then felt them in my washing machine until they're just right and finally I block them to just the right shape. I make all sorts of hats: berets, fedoras, top hats, you name I can crochet it. Well, that's what I make to sell, mostly. I've been expanding out into other things as well, like jewelry, but not your run of the mill jewelry, it's soft and made of wool too. Right now because of spring I've been working on making plant inspired stuff, like ivy vines and calla lillies. It's been a lot of fun.

Who or what inspires you?

I'm inspired by so many things: colour, nature, my mom, funny things on the internet, old school games, comic books, anything from the 50's through the 70's, Alphonse Mucha... The list just goes on and on.

When / how did you learn?

I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. My mom taught me how to crochet when I was 8. We made bracelets for my softball team in just chain stitches and it was awesome. I knew then that I would never put down a crochet hook.

Why do you 'bother' to make things by hand?

It's not that I bother, it's that I have to. It's just been a happy byproduct that I can make stuff and actually sell it. I make stuff because if I don't see all these crazy ideas in my head through I would be a sad, sad, panda.

What is your craft ”philosophy”?

It was said best in handmade nation: There are two types of people in this world, those who make stuff and those who don't.

Have you always made 'stuff'?

Yes! I used to make clothes for my dolls out of kleenex by tearing it into skirts and ponchos and the like. Then I took a fashion class in highschool and that's when I knew that I would forever and ever be making stuff. When I went to university for fashion I KNEW that I would one day be selling my wares somewhere or another.

Can you reveal a little about your creative process?

I don't really know what to say here, I get an idea somehow, they just sort of float by and I grab them...

How do you motivate yourself?

My boyfriend is my motivator. There are some days that I might not even be able to get out of bed without him.

How do you deal with crafty mistakes?

A lot of the time they get thrown into the WIPs pile. Sometimes they turn out to be better than what I started out with.

Favourite craftbook(s)?

Creative Hands. There's like 30 of 'em. From the 1970s. They are so amazing.

Do you have a designated craft space? What does it mean to you?

I have a CRAFT ROOM. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I have a cutting table and a place for my FOUR sewing machines, all my wool/yarn stash. It's great. Life has been ever so much more productive since it happened.

Do you use a sketchbook or journal?

I have about a billion sketchbooks that also serve as journals. I tend to have two on the go at all times, a purse sketchbook and a house sketchbook. That way I always have something around for when a good idea strikes.

Which picture is an attention grabber?

As every other person that takes their own pictures of the goods they sell - me too, I agonize over how my photos work....


Tell me know, work with me here (or you are here only to drop your entrecard?)....which one of these pix would grab you attention? Which one would make you want the item? If there is none, dont be shy - say so! Constructive criticism can only make one be better!


I am asking this, because - unlike soap - I dont have to make the product ahead of time to sell it. And honestly, I would rather make it fresh and when ordered. So, that means that I need a good stock photo.






a:)




b:)




c:)








d:)

ArtFire Find - Pirate Pixie Crew

As you know, I have a shop on ArtFire too. Its a very young community of artists and crafters and they are all so nice and all about helping each other to succeed! Now thats what I call a team work!


One of the good things about ArtFire is that you dont have to open an account to buy! Nope, nope! You can securely purchase without one!


Today I have been looking at Prate Pixie Crews items. I LOVE a good hat, especially one that is not gonna have me scratching my forehead as if I had lice...lol. This scull hat that I saw has the prettiest blue color. Its just perfect for those spring chili mornings when you are headed to work:





http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=61211



To match this awesome hat, she has these fingerless gloves that have the most beautiful and vibrant blue color! I always have been a fan of fingerless gloves. Hey, I wont be as warm, but being beautiful sometimes means we have to suffer...lol




http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=162621



And, wadda ya think of her Pirate Pixie Booty Pouch, huh? I think its sooooo cool!!!!!






http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=ViewListing&product_id=61232

HUGE ECO FRIENDLY giveaway! Green Inspired awesome basket full with all kinds of goodies!

This is Aprils giveaway hosted at Risky Beads Blog . She is so awesome! Every month she collects items from us volunteers, organizes the giveaway and takes care of the winner. Not a lot of people would do that! On top of that - OMG, does she have some good jewelery!

Here is a little intro into this green inspired giveaway:

It's time for the April ArtFire Giveaway!! It's your chance to win a bunch of eco-friendly girly goodness from a bunch of awesome ArtFire sellers! This giveaway will run from today, Wed. April 1st - Tues., April 7th at midnight. There are 11 sellers participating in this giveaway, so please read the entry rules them carefully! Our theme this month is Eco-friendly/Earth Day products, so on to the loot!


This month's prize consists of a Love Your Mama tote bag by NotMoira, an Antique Doll Part by CobWebPalace, a Vegan Trio of Unscented, Lavender, and Oatmeal Guest Soaps from Green Hill Soap Co., Brennan the Friendly Bath Monster by the Shine Your Hiney Soap Co., Scrubbies by leahMarie, Unscented Body Yogurt with Goats Milk from MeaCulpaBodyandBath, Pom-Great-Nate 90z Palm Wax Candle from Jennuine Candles, Earth Day Glow-in-the-Dark Ornament from BAKidagain, Handpainted Key Hanger from ChelseaLynnDesigns, an Earth Day Upcycled Scrabble Tile Pendant from NinjaJenn, and an Upcycled Pendant 'Peaceful Times' from Campgirldesigns. These products retail for $91.00!

But, wait, it gets better!!

Each owner of these shops has volunteered one of their products because they want to promote their shops but also ArtFire as a venue so we are all offering 10% off in our shops during this giveaway! Use this code when purchasing: RBAPRAF10P** ArtFire is a relatively new site in the grand scheme of the online handmade market scene, but we like it because it's very open and has a fee structure that allows us to put our money into our product. If you've been considering giving ArtFire a try, I encourage you to do so as the shops offered at the discounted rate are going fast!

The winner of the contest will be chosen by the random number generator at random.org, so each comment is one entry unless it's incomplete, in which case it will be skipped. To enter the contest, you must visit at least 6 of our 11 shops listed above, come back, and leave 1 comment that mentions your favorite item from all 6 shops, not 6 separate comments. After completing your main entry, you can earn extra entries by doing any or all of the following, putting each one in a separate comment:

--visit the other 5 shops you didn't visit in your first comment and mention your favorite item in one comment for all 5 shops

--blog about the giveaway and link back in your comment

--tweet about the giveaway and link back in your comment

Want automatic entries in this giveaway? Well, then all you have to do is:

--purchase from any Artfire shop from April 1-April 7 and link back with your order #. Your seller will give it to you or ask for it.

--purchase from any of our 11 shops and receive 2 extra entries per shop and link back with your order #. Your seller will give it to you or ask for it.

Please remember to leave your contact information in your comment. We can't contact you if we can't find you!!! Anonymous entries with no email address will be deleted.

-Lori


DONT LEAVE COMMENTS ON MY BLOG. IF YOU WANT TO ENTER GO OVER LORI' S BLOG AND ENTER THERE:

http://riskybeads.blogspot.com/2009/04/april-2009-artfire-giveaway.html

My daughter is getting obsessed about churches and God

This has been very irritating to me. I am a very spiritual person, but I do NOT believe that kids need to know all this at 7 years old.

I am a pagan, I left christianity like 3 years ago. I have a different picture in my head of God/Goddess or Gods are/is or whatever and however.....I dont mind churches, but I think that a person should be educated in ALL beliefs before accepting one.

So, my 7 year old daughter has been best friends with a church going girl and obviously she talks about that a lot to her. I think this is so because I have not heard my baby ask or say anything on this subject before this.

One day while driving in the car, she asked me:

- "Mom, I want to go to church"

I was like "Mia, do you know what church is?"

- "Yes, its a tall building where you sit and talk about God" (shock!!!!!)

- "Mia, we dont go to church"

- "Why not?"

- "Because mama doesnt believe in that, mama thinks that churches dont let people think" (I know, I know...I overdid it)

- "I will tell Kara what you just said"

- "If you do, her grandma wont let her play with you anymore"


Today she goes again about doing something and then she wanted to tell God about it. I'm like:

- "Do you know what God is?"

- "Yes, a man that lives up there", and she hows up in the sky

- "Who told you this?"

- "My teacher"

- "Oh, really?"

- "No........me, myself....I just know"


Arrghhhhhh..............when I was that age (my parents and my whole family is russian orthodox) I never even knew what church is or what God is and all that!


I believe in personal freedom, but I still would not like my kid to go down the road of being christian (please my christian friends, dont be mad at me - its nothing personal). My pagan self doesnt let me interfere, its her choice. The mom in me protests....

What would you do? No, really? I am dumbfounded about how to go around this whole God issue.....she does have mythology books and we read them and she knows that there is a lot of Gods and Goddesses and she has been asking questions - I always try to envelop all that as in stories, not as the TRUTH, cuz to me there is no ONE truth....but as soon as she started hanging out with this girl.....its all about churches.