I’ve been a bit preoccupied with my latest, top secret project.  Yes, it’s a new medium and a new shop but I won’t tell you more than that until the big unveiling which should occur around mid March assuming all goes as planned.  We shall see!

It seems I missed last week’s Friday Finds post… and I didn’t have anyone lined up for this week so I’m just going to show you some of the beautiful and interesting things I’ve stumbled across recently in the midst of babbling about recent events.  Photos are linked to the relevant shops.

Speaking of shops, Foxglove Studios on Etsy broke 1000 hearts in February.  It heppened rather suddenly and much to my surprise.  In fact, I had intended to make a small event of it but it snuck up on me.  BIG thanks to all the “hearters”!

Jason received his  Arizona driver’s license a couple of weeks ago.  He was extremely happy about it. I told him  it would be easy because they obviously hand the things out like candy based on the way people drive around here.  Apparently, the driving test in the UK is pretty hard and consists of more than a quick lap around the block.  Who knew? My one attempt to drive on the left side of the road was a failure and resulted in me never being allowed to try it again.  LOL

The big guy is still looking for employment.  The little bit he’s done at my office and the one on campus have been nice but certainly aren’t predictable or ongoing.  (In case you live in the Tucson area and need help with your computer, please let us know.  Jay would be more than happy to help and won’t rip you off like Geek Squad!)

Our cats seem to have finally found a balance after two years of cohabitating.  Lily now occasionally, randomly attacks Pumber instead of always being the incredibly dramatic victim.  It’s really funny.  He will give her a WIDE berth and move very slowly when he thinks she’s in one of her moods.  He still corners her once in a while but not every day like he used to.  It almost looked like she was trying to play with him yesterday… almost.

The teenager, who shall remain nameless, doesn’t want Mom to discuss her publicly so I can’t share the biggest challenges we’ve had of late.  Suffice it to say, parenting is not for the faint of heart.  Whatever you’ve heard about having teenage kids, it’s not true.  The truth is much worse!

Hope you all have a good, relaxing weekend.  I’m going to give it my best shot.

I’ve often admired the small quilted treasures by Briana of  btaylor quilts.  Any textile lover would!  She creates beautiful, useful items for any room in your home from coasters to nesting bowls (my favorite) to quilts you can snuggle under.

While creating this post about Briana Taylor’s quilted lovelies,  I was pleasantly surprised to discover her other shop filled with beautiful artwork:

Bre is also a lovely and interesting person.  Take a few minutes to visit her quilt and art shops and be sure to read her profile.   You won’t be disappointed.

Having been completely stumped for what to blog about lately, I thought perhaps this might be of interest to some of you as well.   Breanna Carzoo of Carzoo Critters created a giant list of blog topics.  Some of them include:

• articles you read
• current news
• favorite tv show
• your pets
• your kids
• a new creation
• something you are looking forward to
• what you are thankful for today (thankful thursdays!)
• things that make you happy

This is a tiny sample.  Check out Breanna’s blog for the full list.

I’m all about handmade for Valentine’s Day.  (It’s obvious, really.)  Handmade items are more unique and often more personal than mass manufactured stuff.  Here’s a tip, guys: It’s not always about price, sometimes it’s about the amount of thought and effort you put into your purchase.   Most of the women I know would rather have a carefully chosen if inexpensive item that indicates how well her man knows her than something he picked up at the mall an hour earlier in a desperate rush.  Here are a few sweet ideas that won’t break your budget.

Search handmade for her favorite flower: daisy, tulip, pansy, rose… Don’t know?  Ask her!

If she likes tchochkes…

If she likes critters: cats, birds, snails, rabbits, etc…

She’s green…

You want to go the traditional route: jewelry, hearts, pink, red…

Don’t just get something for the sake of getting something.  Impress her by giving a gift that’s all about HER.

I’ve decided to give away 5 nests instead of 3.  Here are the winners chosen using a random number generator:

Comment #/Name

30-Lu

19-Damla

12-Abie

2- Kelly of The Lost Earring

24-Anna

Winners will be contacted by email shortly.  Thanks to everyone who entered!  Stay tuned for future giveaways.  I’ll be doing them every couple of months.