more jewelry making and my Etsy store is BACK!

I posted in December that Ash and I were crafting again. Well, my little holiday endeavor netted me just enough cash flow for some holiday shopping. :)

Here are some popular samples.

stardust finish initial

initial with a crackle finish

photo pendant

girly pendant necklace

crackle finish

monogram crackle necklaces

more girly pendants

up close of a crackle...the details are very pretty...these kind really shimmer in the light

school spirit...this one is for Warren County Pioneers  woot woot!

some people prefer ribbons to chains

bottlecaps almost finished

new stretch bracelets

pendant trays...photos and crackle initials

a cosmic stardust glitter finish...changes color in the light

If you like what you see I'd be happy to make you a custom item. Visit me on Etsy to place your order.

www.whimsylanecreations.etsy.com

It's Autumn at the Foster house

 Well, autumn is here and appears to be a fun-filled month from the looks of my calendar. My daughter and sister's birthdays, school pictures, homework, field trips to the Pumpkin Patch, our first ever "Three Sisters Do Pinterest" Party....just lots going on.

 I have really enjoyed our Autumn weather. I love fall; it is by far, my favorite season. October days make me smile. My family has been enjoying playing some badminton each night now that the humid days are over. And even the dogs are happy walking in this cooler weather. The air smells crisper and fresher. I like the slight chill that hangs over us at dusk and the golden sunshine we have all day long. The pecans have started dropping off our tree, and we are just waiting for the leaves to change colors so we can do my son's senior photo shoot with JBash Photography. It's that time for apple pies, sweaters, and pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins.

October will be hectic for me also with the celebration of my daughter's 9th birthday with a Wizard of Oz Party. I am daily Pinning and adding ideas. I think it will be a lot of fun. I adore themed parties. I hope to get lots of good pictures to post on here. :)

 My friends and fellow Pinners have been making some pretty fall items, such as painted pumpkins and DIY scarves. I've been thinking lately that I wish I had some time to go back and re-open my Etsy stores. Every time I get on there or on Pinterest I see things I could be making and selling, if I only had the time to craft and list the stuff. My husband's shop is also home to my crafting area that he so thoughtfully set up for me when we moved here last October. It's filled with all sorts of supplies, including a lovely Cricut machine, just waiting to be used. Someday I keep telling myself, someday.

The newest thing I'd like to try is a t-shirt scarf. These look so cool. They were made by my friend and co-worker Michelle, and her daughter. Aren't they great?

Another place I wish I could make items for is Teachers Pay Teachers. I think I could learn how to, again, if I just had the time. But I am into my 3rd year of college and most of my classes now are very task-oriented and project-laden, versus just studying for and passing an exam. Those were the good days. *sigh* I was told that in order to pass this semester I will need to complete one project PER WEEK. Bye bye blogging!
Bye bye home-cooked meals. Bye bye family. I could really get down if I thought about it much but I just keep reminding myself that higher education will pay off one day and it will all be worth it. Praying daily for the Lord's mercy and grace to see me and my family through my last two years.

 I still miss homeschooling though. Seems strange to say coming from one who is studying to become a licensed TN teacher! :) I keep thinking my sons got the best of my time when they were little but my daughter got "jipped" some. I do hope that I am able to install a love of learning and a firm footing in the faith in her, despite the fact she doesn't get as much mommy time as the boys did.

 The new church year is about to begin and I am a little overwhelmed. I have desired and felt called to teach a missions class for the two years we've been members, which I am now doing. But I also became involved with the youth on Sundays and Wednesdays. I need God to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my hours so I can accommodate all these good things and still get 5-6 hours of sleep! lol Ya'll ever feel that way? But when we serve Him, He is good to supply our needs. :)

 I have also stayed busy lately gathering donations from lovely Etsy sellers to donate on my other blog, My Preschool Daze. I've given away tool belts, learning games, and key chains all geared towards educators. I have plenty more donations lined up to carry me through the fall, so come on over and check it out. My Preschool Daze
This week's give away is a set of two adorable key chains:

 I've also been blessed with a business opportunity and a way to minister all at once. I have a new online store selling Bibles, homeschool supplies, church supplies, VBS, home decor, jewelry, books, you name it. It's like walking into a Christian bookstore, only minus the walk. ;) Please check it out and spread the word to family and friends and churches for me.

All Things New Christian Books

Hope your autumn is golden and radiant!
Lynn

Don't miss out! Spectacular September give-aways over at My Preschool Daze

To show appreciation for educators in all areas of the field, from public to private to homeschool, from pre-k through college-level, I am hosting some contests on my blog. I have some great Etsy sellers on board to donate prizes a teacher would use and appreciate.

This past week I had two winners of a nice Hip Notions Tool Belt. Congrats Julie and Jamie! 

 This week's give away is a nice little set of learning games from Etsian "Time to Teach Kidz". Please visit her shop and tell her you found her on my blog. ;) You can find her on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/people/teachkidz33

And don't forget to drop by my education blog at www.iteach16kids.blogspot.com to enter to win. Deadline is Sunday the 29 of Sept.

Blessings!
Lynn

Shop/craft room DONE!

     It's been a while since we've updated a room in our fixer-upper but Jarred decided this week was a good time to renovate his shop since we didn't need to buy anything but a gallon of paint. ;)

     Here is what the "shop" looked like when we moved into the house.

   Pretty bad, right? Unfinished walls that resembled cardboard. A previous roof leak had left water stains. More "stuff" from previous owner (I have no complaints there; I love nothing more than pawing through a box of mystery items). Moldy, dusty carpet. Moldy, dusty everything. This room hadn't seen action in years when we walked in.

    First we had to sort the stuff. Then for a time we had to use some of the space to store our own stuff. Meanwhile Jarred has been working around all the piles of things. This is how the shop looked from about November-well, last night night.

My crafting side is beginning to take shape

This old shelf we found in the blue bathroom is about to find new life in my craft area!

soaping supplies

Jarred's side for his game console repair business

Lots of repair work to be done which, praise the Lord, equals lots of paychecks!

      I am so proud of the "new" shop. It is a nice place to go and work when you need a little solitude. It's clean, bright, and airy. It smells good, too. lol    I can hang with my man while he works or maybe find some time to begin my crafting again, since Jarred organized my area too. He even mounted that old bathroom shelf on the wall and repainted it to house my odds and ends. I really enjoyed running my two Etsy stores and have an awful lot of supplies just begging to be used. Now I can locate them and have a wonderful place to spread out and create. :)

Shelf is mounted and paint has begun.

Leftover tiles from our breezeway and Parisian bathroom.

Jarred's side...DONE!

worktable and shipping area

my crafting side....DONE!

I think working here will be great.

And the shelf on the wall is working out just beautifully.

Thanks Sweetie! Everything is so nice and clean and organized.

Take heart those of you with fixer-uppers....we will get this done...one room at a time. And we will make ourselves PROUD.

Blessings,

Lynn