"Know the true value of time; snatch, seize and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procratination; never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." - Lord Chesterfield



Procrastination is my biggest problem. But a warning...i've procrastinated projects all week and this is what happened to me:

Now I'm not getting anything done!

Do it today, you never know what tomorrow may bring.

My Greatest Laundry Day!

I spent yesterday doing laundry, as usual. I try to make Mondays my laundry day that way the kids all have clothes for school and it's done a put away for the week. Now, I don't always get it done in one day, but that is my goal.

Yesterday, along with doing laundry, I got to experiment as well. Last week I purchased some dryer sachets and "dryer balls" from an Etsy seller called Refabulous. Both items are described as eco-friendly because they do away with chemicals added to your clothes due to fabric softeners as well as the waste in dryer sheets. In light of an article I recently read (Toss those Harmful Dryer Sheets in the Trash) about chemicals in fabric softener dryer sheets, and due to one of my daughter's health issues, I thought I would try these products.

I love lavender so I was pretty sold already on the dryer sachets, but "dryer balls" to soften my clothes and get rid of static? OOOkaaay...I'll give it a shot.

Well, I am very happy to report my laundry turned out wonderfully. I only used my regular detergent to wash and then added one sachet and dryer ball to the dryer. The lavender wasn't too strong to make our clothes heavily scented, but they were all smelling fresh.

I especially noticed how soft my daughter's school pants were (dress code khakies) which I attribute to the dryer balls. My daughters athletic shorts, which are ALWAYS full of static even with a dryer sheet, had no static plus they were soft and smelling good! I kept the same sachet and dryer ball in the dryer and completed my entire laundry loads (10+loads) and each one turned out soft, static free and fresh smelling.

If you are looking for an alternative to fabric softener and an eco-friendly way to do laundry I HIGHLY recommend these products from Refabulous.

New Coupon Button

This is my new coupon button:

I have decided to have weekly special offers in my shop. I'm going to refer all my etsy customers here first to get their coupon code before they check out. I think it'll increase my shop and blog traffic.

I have a headache now after trying to add the minis into the blog (which can only be done by first saving it as a video..blah blah...my lovely computer genius husband will take a look at it later) but I took care of it for now by just hyperlinking a picture of my mini! lol. VERY high tech for me, at least it links back to my shop!

Now I have to go lay down. Too much staring at the computer, frustration and finally success! Viola!

This giveaway is ending tomorrow! duh...

If you are confused about a previous post I had, don't worry, it isn't you, it's me. Dazed and confused through most of my life! :-)


Anyway, In celebration of their birthday, this lovely necklace as well as many other lovely things are being given away through contests on http://www.thedowntownboutique.blogspot.com/. My giveaway ends Tuesday night at midnight.

Enter to win! Good luck!

Rosette Brooch

Rosette Brooch, originally uploaded by Mia Sophia.

This is one of the new brooches I am working on. I am using hand dyed ribbon and vintage rhinestone buttons. I haven't added any to my shop yet, but I'm getting it all together.

Thursday's Treasures

I thought I'd start a new regular post to share the things I have that I treasure. It's not that they are worth a lot of money or hold any particular sentimental value, but they are things that make me happy and a little content. This is my Jane Eyre book. It is dated 1943 and reads second addition. I picked this up, if you can believe it, at a church garage sale a couple of years ago. This has been one of my favorite books and authors long before I ever found this book. So imagine my delight (disguised lest someone charge me more for it) at finding this treasure.

The "etchings" yes, not illustrations, but etchings are fabulous! The etchings of Jane in that horrible Lowood Institution and the mean Mr. Brocklehurst! Or the scary images of Bertha and Jane (if you don't know who Bertha is I won't spoil it for you), or (ah yes) the images of Jane and Mr. Rochester together. I guess I am a romantic after all.

My favorite book and one of my treasures. If you haven't read it I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a lovely story, maybe not at first, but read on..it gets better!

This necklace is being offered in a giveaway on The Downtown Boutique. A virtual marketplace that showcases wonderfully unique finds from all over the world. To celebrate their one year anniversary they are offering an item each day! Take a look here and enter to win!

Sparkle!

This is what I received in the mail today. A load of sparkly rhinestone buttons. I purchased these from a sweet etsy shop called ohmymilky. Oh My Milky! features lots of interesting vintage jewels, collage supplies and one of a kind treasures for the creative soul. She has wonderful items and I am sure I will be shopping there over and over again! (she also shipped these so quickly which I LOVE! I'm a gotta have it now kindof gal!) Check out her shop but keep your mits of her vintage buttons...they're mine!

Valentine Contest

My Raspberry Hair Pins are being featured in a giveway on Gilbea's Fashion and Handmade blog. She is having a giveaway each week for valentine related items. Go check out her blog and enter to win! Click here to go to Gilbea's Blog.

Promises of Spring

What a wonderful surprise I found in my back garden yesterday. I shared with you all last week my pre-spring clean up of my garden. During that cleanup I was pulling weeds, one of which is called "butterfly weed". It is huge and very invasive but caterpillars love it!

While pulling it I noticed a caterpillar feasting on the leaves. I decided to leave it. Not expecting this wonderful surprise. Yesterday, while wandering back there this wonderful butterfly caught my eye. Not far below, the chrysalis it had emerged from recently. I was so glad I took the time to pay attention to what I was removing and left the caterpillar to it's lunch.

My garden was blessed, even for a short while, with this wonderful butterfly. A promise that spring is not far away!

Tag Tutorial

This is a great use for any paper scraps you might have. You can also make them from new papers or papers you have lying around that you can't find a use for.

They add just the right touch to packages (I use them for personally written thank yous in my orders). They also are great in a pinch for a birthday gift, baby shower, etc. when a tag is needed. Another great thing about making these is, once you get the idea (which is very simple!) you can embellish all you want.

First I gather my paper scraps. I usually have strips because of the paper boxes I make (maybe a future tutorial). They are usually 2 inches wide.

I cut each one to six inches long.

Fold so that there is a half an inch showing on the bottom layer.

Take any decorative cutting scissors and cut both edges, making sure they are neat and face the same way.

Take a hole punch (I prefer decorative ones not the regular round, but it isn't necessary) and punch a hole one quarter of an inch from the folded edge through both layers.

Cut any type of ribbon, embroidery thread, twine (whatever you like or have on hand) 10 inches long.

Fold in half and place loop through the punched hole. Draw the loose ends through the loop and pull, but not too hard.

There you have the finished tag. You can open it up and write your note!

These are fun, quick and easy. I usually can go through my scrap stash while watching tv in the evening.

I hope you have fun making these. Use your imagination and run with it! I'd love for you to kick them up and notch and show me what you've done!

Trinkets

Another variation of my vintage image pendants with the exception of the pink one. That is the result of a little experimenting with rhinestones and glitter. It's a cute little valentine pendant.
All have czech glass beads (my favorite are the flower beads, I can't get enough) Now I'm off to list them. Just wanted to share them with you.

Can't Decide

This was a custom order for a customer earlier in the week. She had seen my beautiful hot pink one on the front page of etsy and asked me to make her one out of various purple shades. I'm not sure what to think about it. On one level it is such a departure from what I usually do, but on the other, it's kind of fun and funky! I keep thinking of what one in pinks, or reds, oranges and yellows, or various shades of blue would look like...

I'm still trying to decide. BTW, the buyer said she loved it! (but it's still waiting in my shop lol. I don't know if she is busy or was just being nice.) Anyway...hmmmm still thinking.

Three Days Work...What I've Got to Show for it

Whew! Finally finished! When they are all pictured together it doesn't look like much, but they took three days to complete.

There are a lot of steps to these little guys: size and print images, cut image, clean glass, cut glass, foil tape and solder glass, solder jump rings, clean carefully, polish, select beads, and add beads. Then there is the task of photographing, edit photographs (four to five per) describe and list.

I hope you all like them as much as I do. They are all double sided and have other images on the back sides. Some are listed with chains and charms, others are just the pendant itself and are all listed in my MiaSophia shop.

Okay, on to the next project.....

Lollishop Re-Do

I have finally re-worked my lollishop, www.lollishops.com/amie-blooms. I have had very little traffic per day which, I know is my fault for not promoting. So, a fresh start, new items and a better look. With the big Valentine promo coming up maybe this will kick start it.

Trinkets for Me.

I saw these today and couldn't resist. They are so, well, me! My own little pretties. Studio construction was put on hold when Ike hit, and has never really picked up so I moved in, anyway. Now I'm adding my own little pretties to make it feel like home(much to my husband's chagrin, but he doesn't say anything).

I also found this:



I think he used to be attached to something because there is a screw sticking out the bottom. But that's okay, he can watch over me while I work.

Front Page Feature!

No this isn't a screen shot of the FP treasury because I missed it when my item was included. I logged on to etsy and saw a wonderful valentine treasury and thought "Hey! I was in that!", so I checked the original treasury and sure enough, my flower brooch was there. "I was robbed!", I thought. I know admin has the right to substitute things that they feel fit better, but my flower is lovely "why would they do that!" I was about ready to post a "I was Robbed!" post in the forums (tounge in cheek, of course) when a thought hit me upside the head..."did it sell?". I am SO glad I got that smack to my head because, yes, it did sell! "Whew!" i only embarrased myself at home and not in public!

So yay to isiki for a wonderful treasury. This was her first attempt at a treasury and made the FP! She also has only had her shop open since December 10! A talented lady so check out her shop. I'm sure you will be hearing more about her!

TAAAA DAAAAA!

I finally finished!

After about three bags headed for the shredder this is what is left. Two Pepper plants, one massively pruned rosemary plant, sweet oregano and some onions. I need to turn my compost and add it to the garden, replace the weed fabric and maybe add another bed for my monster tomatoes!

This was my hidden harvest:

Hidden way under all the over growth were some beautiful peppers! Yum. I love peppers but can't eat all of these so I'll share with my neighbors. What a nice surprise. Fresh peppers in January! Gosh I love the South!

And, my sweet little oregano plant. We can't do without this. This is a mainstay to our favorite "chicken oregetano" dish.

So I have spring fever and I can't wait to put something into this little plot. About six more weeks and we'll be good to go! Maybe I'll get some chickens, too, to keep all the bugs out! (can you call them pets so the city will allow it?) here's hopin'.

My Fun Saturday Plans

This is what I have waiting for me tomorrow:


my overgrown garden has managed to take over! I plan in digging it all up and replanting in a couple of months. And this:

if you can believe it are dead tomato plants. Yes, that is the trellis they grew over and BROKE! Twice! I planted a grape tomato plant and it was wonderful; however the thing not only produces tomatos that look like grapes, it grows like a grapevine - Huge and Invasive. It took over most of my garden and shaded several plants that needed the sun. It got mad when I cut it back and grew more agressively. It'll be fun to see how it comes out tomorrow.
A ray of hope though:

The dead tomato plants may have sheltered some of my peppers from the snow and cold temps. Wish me luck!

My Favorite CD! Love Her! ----- Listen to Adele, Crazy for You.

If you haven't heard her yet, you need to check out this video and others on youtube! Then go buy her CD. It's incredible and she is only 19! I saw an interview with her and she is not only talented, but seem like such a nice kid! A teenager from London. Her music is all about heartaches and love. She wrote all the music on the CD except for a Bob Dillon song called "Make you feel my love" which is GORGEOUS. It's nice to support an artist like that. Even my teenagers like her! So, check her out.

My Flower Garden

I have been working with my new spring colors and have been loving my growing garden. The pale yellows, soft pinks, bright oranges, soothing lavenders and on and on. They are so gorgeous tucked into your hair. I'm working on more little rose hair pins, too, but for now I wanted to show you my growing garden.

An *Unexpected* and Wonderful Gift

I received an unexpected gift today. A beautiful bright red scarf from Milly of Thistlecraft. It is the warmest and softest thing! It has been unseasonably cold here in Houston and I haven't taken it off since I received it! (except to take these pics). It is keeping me warm right now! Perfect for these cold days! Thank you so much, Milly!

Milly is the team lead for our Etsy Texas team. She works tirelessly to promote our team planning events, gift swaps. sales and challenges. You can find out all about our team at http://etsytx.ning.com/ and see all the hard work she puts into making all of us a success while having fun doing it!

For all of you Mermaids out there!

Third in a series of vintage image necklaces. I love the look of this one. This sweet mermaid trapped in a fisherman's net. Oh No! The antique and feminine look of the specialty chains and the czech glass beads. I so need to keep this one.... maybe.

Second One of these Lovely Ladies

This is the second necklace I have made like this for the new year. I love this mix of purple beads. The other one I put in my MiaSophia shop sold so quickly I didn't really have time to show it off much. I'd like this one to go fast, too (*ahem*). I'm loving the beads though. Made a fabulous find yesterday of czech glass beads in WONDERFUL colors. I was giddy! and my husband looked at me "like I had lobsters growing out of my ears!"