Getting Ready for 2012!

First of all it's been an amazing week having my children home and everyone together!  We've spent alot of family time... visiting relatives we haven't seen in awhile... ate WAY too much but like they say "new year, new you"! Diets here I come :)

After Christmas Sale...Now Going on..
Limited time only! Just enter "SHIPFREE" at Checkout!!! 

I already started adding my Valentines Day, St. Patricks Day items in my shop, along with a few sneak 

peaks at some Spring items. I'm really looking forward to putting the freezing weather behind me... so over it. So I BLAST the heat in my shop and surround myself with spring and summer flowers and bunnies for my arrangements....thinking positive! 

Anyway I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Years Eve!

Enjoy your day...I gotta run!

Sandy

It's Been Awhile! Merry Christmas!

Well, It's been a long time since I've had the time to sit and update my blog... so here it is!  It is now 1:16am on Christmas morning...so Merry Christmas!  My children are home (19 and 23) My husband and 3 dogs are fast asleep and I have a houseful of their friends... I just LOVE it!  I'm still up so I decided to get back to my blog.

I've been pretty busy since May working mainly on Christmas items for my Etsy shop and a few large craft shows. I just love holiday season and Christmas is my favorite time of year.  Family first of course but I really love creating my arrangements and my wreaths.

I especially love my snowman family arrangements!  They are so much fun to make especially the custom pieces that clients have certain requests for.  Maybe they have 3 children and want a Mom a Dad and the 3 children in a certain winter scene!  I just finished one with a Dad who loves the Phila. Flyers, Mom loves to ice skate and their daughter loves animals.  Came out so cute! (picture posted below)

Aside from working in my shop, my family, my dogs, my home, etc... I have recently given up my part time job to devote to all the above, my shop, my family, my dogs and most recently, decorating my own house for the holidays... before Christmas Eve!  Usually I am just throwing my own decorations together and this year I finally decided to start early, and put my talents to work in my own house!  Needless to say, I have 5 Christmas trees, wreaths in just about every room, swags, outside porch archway 9ft X 2ft garland, 2 6ft pencil trees on the porch, 9ft X 2ft garland on the stairway railing going to my 2nd floor not to mention all the snowmen arrangements throughout!  

My poor husband saw me working like a banchee and of course I had to do it myself, because I'm way too fussy.  He just looked and said "you need to stop, you don't have to do all this, it only has to come down and somebody has to put it away" !  I know exactly what he was thinking.... "I'm going to have to put this all away" and yep he is right haha! :)  But it does look beautiful, he and the kids love it and I'm happy I took the time and did it the right way! I plan on keeping it all up for awhile though, to enjoy ;)  (sneak peek below)

Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying their families and friends, and having a wonderful holiday weekend!  I'll try to be more attentive to my blog... After the New Year I will be busy in my shop working on Valentines Day and St. Patricks Day Wreaths and Arrangements.... I'm really excited about it!  I have alot of great unique ideas... Can't wait to get started.  It's been a great first year on Etsy and in my shop, and I'm hoping for an even better 2012... especially since I am now unemployed and now self employed!  I couldn't be happier in my new endeavor, hoping to open my shop in the Fall to the public and I'm really looking forward to a Great New Year!     

Have a great Christmas!  Sandy

Happy Anniversary to Us!!!!!

Well, this is certainly not craft related or Etsy related, as I write just about everything anyway, but it's really a day I kind of reflect back on so many years ago.  I feel it's so important to step outside of where we are today and think of what our 26th Wedding Anniversary really means to me..... My husband and I actually met when I was 18, although he says he used to watch me play little league baseball. I was a pitcher and I have to admit at 11, I was pretty good....haha... I loved it!  It wasn't until I was 18 when we met.  You can laugh now.... yes "at a disco"  haha!!!! And yes I was underage, but honestly didn't drink.  My friends and I just danced from when we got there... until we left.  Those were, as we 50 somethings say, were the good old days!  One night, there he was, walked over to me with the famous... really bad line ;)  are you ready...."Don't I know you from somewhere?"  ...not even kidding!  From that day on we were inseparable... I did believe him about the baseball thing, because seriously, who would know that?? That was 1978.  We dated for 5 years, got engaged, then married 2 years later. So more accurately 33 years later, and on our 26th Anniversary, 2 grown children, and 3 dogs later, brings me to today! We practically spent more than half our lives together, through great times, through tragedy, lots of laughs, tears, arguments, celebrations.... but I always ask my husband at every Anniversary dinner the same question and then he asks me the same one back, "if you had the chance, reflecting through all the years, would you do it all again?"  Every year, and I know we both honestly mean it, we both answer yes.... Our children are grown, our last one off to college in September and now we've come full circle..... There's is such a sense of victory and celebration on this anniversary for me... we've weathered every storm, we've successfully raised our children, though not always easy :)  I'm sure there will always be more hurdles to cross, more bickering to be done,  but for now I'll look forward to what the future has to hold, our sense of humor when we need it, the baseball games, the gardening we love to do, eating out more, the couch potato days, hanging in the pool, literally ;) (he's not a fan of swimming) the exercise we both hate, and watching the journey of our children unfold!  I have to say I'm so glad that we stayed strong when we had to, soft when we needed to, but always tried to never give up. I always believe you have to focus on the good in every day, it's there if you really look....:) and cherish all the milestones we've achieved together.

Happy Anniversary to us ;)

Enjoy the day!    Sandy

Happy Tuesday! Is it really???? Have a laugh on me :)

Well, today was another busy, crazy day..... the pool guy was coming early in the morning, 2 of my 3 dogs had to go to the groomers (I was embarrased to even take them... felt like an bad mother ;)  Had to leave poor Lola, the Pug, home alone.... she howled :(  Found out my son didn't get measured for his Tux for graduation ugggggggggg..... which, by the way is THIS Sunday, and had to go today.... oh and I forgot....all before I had to be at work for 3!  And so it began..... I attempt to remove Baby, the Poodle and Tasha, the Bischon from the sunroom... as I begin to put their leashes on Lola,  is patiently sitting there (which is not easy for her) for me to also put hers on.... she then realizes her leash isn't being snapped on :( so what does she do, she pulls her hanging leash from the shelf and drops it in front of me with that adorable pug mug staring at me and her curly tail wagging away.  I have attempted to take 3 of them at once before (crazy right???) and that's a whole other blog haha!  As I proceed to walk to the door, my little chubby darling starts biting my ankle and barking, realizing, she's staying home.  I quickly escaped only to hear her howling and crying as I run out the door with the other 2 dogs.... bad mother.....I drop them off, and surprisingly on time. Pool guy calls.... he's at my house almost done. Had my son go to get measured for his tux, by himself, (he is almost 19) ...feeling guilty anyway... bad mother yet again haha.... I had to get back to my house, but not before I realized I was passing the nursery where I usually treat myself to a rose bush or two or three.... you get the idea! My anniversary's tomorrow so....( I have a serious perennial addiction ;) found one, of course, a beautiful peachy yellow... just one because I had no time to look.. grabbed it and rushed to get home.... uh oh.... pool guy, sitting, sweating, and waiting for me.  Pay the bill...  Pool guy leaves.... I go into my house, you got it.... my phone rings.......  ( are you exhausted yet :)  the dogs are ready!!!  Hop back into the car pick up the dogs get back home and realize...... I have 15 minutes to get dressed and leave for work.... I really must live for this adrenaline rush thing because I actually made it to work on time.  Quite the accomplishment for today!!!!!  The pools opened, the dogs groomed, the son's tuxedo for graduation measured and ordered, even bought a rose bush for myself and work on time.....and believe it or not, came home from work, just a little exhausted.... haha....really hungry, to find that my husband surprised me and supper was waiting!  Ahhhhh.... So all in all it was really a happy, and very accomplished, exhausting, Tuesday and most importantly, Lola the Pug forgave me, ( I slipped her a bone ;) ......



PS. Back to wreaths and arrangements tomorrow.... day off!


Have a wonderful night!

Sandy

Its About Time..... Sunshine and Blogging!

I haven't blogged in awhile.  It seems, since Easter and Mother's Day, I've been busy.... non-stop! The days are just flying by. All the things I love, my family, baseball games, special dinners, shopping, sleeping in, were definately my priority for these few weeks!  And because my daughter was in for the 2 weekends, it was girl time and family time, which I love.  I also love to drive my daughter back to New York, when it's time for her to go because I am... I'll admit it... a little selfish ;)  I try to spend and cherish every minute I can with her because I do have to share her time with my husband, son and of course her friends, and thats ok. But, when it's time for her to go back, it's just us... 2 sometimes 3 hours (uggggg - traffic) great conversations, lots of laughs, sometimes not saying anything, just wonderful quality time.  Of course, then I HAVE to stay over, we watch The Kardashians, talk some more, then go to sleep.  When I get up, usually around 7, I get my car to move it, and yes there is usually a ticket on it, (I now have 3 of them....) then we go for breakfast, I drop her off at work, say our "I love you's", then I'm on my way.... not regretting a second of it.... :)

When I get home on Monday, my day off.... so to speak....I play catch up! It's rained so much that on any nice day, when I'm not working, or going to New York, I love to be outside working in my yard, with my husband, and of course with my dogs, playing and lounging, (the dogs, not me ;) getting the pool area ready, picking up all the cuttings from my husbands continuous hobby of trimming trees, working in my garden, and of course... the dreaded yard cleanup.  This consists of anything that certain family members don't want to throw away in the garbage cans ends up behind shrubs, in the yard, driveway and much to my dismay....among my beautiful flowers.... you know who you are :)  haha! Then, because I am now outside on nice days, there is a slight shift in my priorities...... unfortunately...  I do try to get my laundry caught up, and my house straightened but.... it's not working out how I would like it to, why? Well because on, not so nice days,  I've been working on new items, believe it or not... starting to get ready for my busiest season, Christmas, which I love!  It's my favorite season to make my arrangements and wreaths! .... Also, updating my Etsy shop, twitter, facebook, and last but not least, my blog! So, if I'm not too consistant with my blogging, you'll have to forgive me... but I will get around to it..... I read on someones twitter, from a mom which I found very funny but true, something like "My family wants dinner, don't they realize I'm on Etsy?" I'm sure many of us can relate.....

Have a wonderful night!     Sandy

Bride in Bloom designs by Suzie2q: A Little Champagne Please

My treasury that I put together is featured in this beautiful blog. Much thanks to Suzie, you made my day ! I really love all these colors...... Enjoy! Bride in Bloom designs by Suzie2q: A Little Champagne Please: "My pink sweetheart rose caketopper was featured in this wonderful pink treasury!"

My Perennial Addiction!

It's been awhile since I had the time to sit and blog. Since Easter I've been pretty busy with the holiday and  Mother's Day.  I'm by no means complaining.... It's been really nice to have my family together.  We ate out alot (which I LOVE) saw a lot of AAA Yankee games (which I also LOVE) and spent some really nice quality time together!  My daughter was in for those two weekends and it was soooo nice having some girl time, no offense to my 3 dogs, Lola, Baby and Tasha or my husband and my son, haha :)  

Also, Spring is in the air and that also means ALOT of work around the yard!  We have lots of trees which means LOTS of leaves and cleanup. I LOVE to do gardening and I've been noticing so many perennials that I forgot I planted popping up underneath all those leaves.  The grass is the greenest I've ever seen and my rose bushes (about 25 of them) look so healthy,  I can't wait to see them when they bloom!  I've been hibernating in the house all winter and it has been such a rainy spring, this was the first time I really looked around and realized just how beautiful nature truly is.... the joy it brings me to see life springing up all around me, the vibrant colors, the beautiful birds in the garden.  I just love it!  I am finally feeling that the warm weather and summer may actually be coming....  I went out by our "still covered" pool to rake some old leaves and clean up little with the help of my three dogs, (as you can see.. absolutely NO help!  :)  and saw my gorgeous wisteria tree in full bloom!  How beautiful it is and it smells so amazing, it's such a shame that it only lasts a short while.  But I know as soon as the wisteria tree loses its flowers the rest of the gardens start magically appearing one by one, plant by plant...

I started my gardens about 10 years ago and tried to time the bloom times so I'm never without color in my yard! It started out with "just a couple" perennials, as I told my husband, then the addiction began....I soon started reading perennial planting books.  I couldn't get in my car without passing any and every nursery and garden center, loading up my SUV to the point where I could barely see out my windows, and of course while my unsuspecting husband was at work. When the sales persons start to know me by name in every place I stopped, it can't  be good.... haha!  I would even buy the poor dead plants so I could plant them for the upcoming year..... Before I knew it, I was digging out grass to accommodate my wonderful addiction!

Now, a little note about my husband and his yard...... NO ONE can touch his grass!! He loves working on the yard, the pool, shaping and cutting the trees, one branch at a time haha! I didn't think he would notice every year we were "quadrupling" the amount of beautiful plants around our home.  He never really said anything, it looked beautiful.....UNTIL I DUG UP HIS GRASS..... and in more than one area!  I tried to justify it by saying it would be less grass to cut and that I will take care of all my gardens throughout the yard.  I did hold up my end of the bargain.  He eventually did get over it, and even supported my habit by buying me new rose bushes for our anniversary and Mother's Day!  I do have to say that I had to cut back on my lovely habit because it got VERY expensive and the guilt started to sink in. I came up with a new idea from a fellow gardener and started taking cuttings and dividing alot of the perennials I already have throughout my garden and just transplanting them into new areas.... Thank goodness I have a big yard :) I do have to say, with the beautiful days we've been having...... I'm starting to get that old feeling.... that I have to get in my car and visit some of my flower stomping grounds, but I'll try and keep it under control.  I do have an anniversary coming up, so I hope I have a new addition to my overabundant garden :)  I guess there's worse things in the world to be addicted to and not nearly as satisfying and beautiful as mine :) ..............

Enjoy the day!      Sandy

In My Yard It's Thanksgiving Every Day!!!

Happy Tuesday!

Just a quick little blog..... I thought I would post this very little story along with the pictures I took from my back yard. Just for your entertainment!  Every day around 10:00am and 3:30pm my 3 dogs start howling and barking and after 10 years I know what that means......turkeys!  Yep I said turkeys.... I live in a residential neighborhood by a high school in the middle of a busy  little town, not a farm to be seen haha, and every day, except of course around Thanksgiving (how smart are they ;) twice a day we have a parade of about 20 to 30 huge turkeys.  No idea where they come from, where they go at night, (don't want to know) but I can tell time by their visits, and of course the dogs, howling and barking until they decide to go to the neighbors yard.... I never seem to have a camera handy when they make their appearance but yesterday I had the camera in hand!  So I'm posting the pictures because people would never believe it or the size of them. Just imagine what 20-30 look like in my yard!  I did get a pretty good picture of 4 of them, the rest were soon to follow, about 20 and some babies.  It's pretty rare to see them with their feathers out.  Two are male and two are female. The guys are the ones fanning their feathers and strutting their stuff to attract the attention of the 2 ladies!  (so typical..... haha)   Enjoy.......

  

The boys!

The girls and boys!

NOW... BACK TO BUSINESS!

I did manage to get to my shop and I got quite a bit accomplished! Enjoying and sometimes dancing (haha) to my music, drinking my coconut flavored iced coffee, I started piecing about 6 wreaths and 4 silk floral arrangements.  I had ideas what I wanted to do all day and it started to flow. I was able to complete 2 (shown below) and the rest probably tonight!  I have a custom order that I can't wait to start, a wreath for a customer who sent me a picture of the colorful wallpaper covered wall where she would like it - so I can match or coodinate the wreath with it!    What a great idea!  So that's my next project. When it's done I'll post the before and after!

I also started to piece out some of my.... do I dare..... Christmas items and ideas! It's my busiest season and I have several craft shows that I do.  I'll post them as I get the dates. I love my holiday snowman arrangements, (pictued below, this one available for sale!) probably my favorite pieces to do.  I create winter family scenes out of whimsical little plush snowmen, sometimes other interesting creatures, trees, wooden birdhouses, you name it I try to put it in. Many of my customers like me to custom make arrangements to represent their family members.... and because family is so important to me,  I really get so much joy out of making these special arrangements for them! Not to mention my newest project, pre-decorated Christmas trees! LOVE doing these! I've done up to 6 ft. pencil trees, (pictured below, that one is sold) (special order only) but make anywhere from 2 ft. to the most popular 4 ft.  My husband loves ;) ;) when I have to take them to the craft shows along with ALL the other things, haha.....usually I make about 15-20 4ft. and about 10 2ft. tabletop trees.  The 4 ft. ones are in heavy plaster, sometimes cast iron bases, he particularly loves those ;) ....  What a good sport!  Thankfully, we usually only have to bring one or two back to the shop.... 

  

    I'll blog again the first minute I have!

Enjoy the day!   Sandy

New Arrangements and Wreath Coming!!

I will be doing a craft marathon tomorrow (actually today it's 2:06am ) I plan to be at my shop most of the day.  I'm hoping to get at least 5 new pieces made and posted by tomorrow night.... hopefully before midnight ;)   Wish me luck!


Sandy

Today was my Spring Craft Show For a Cause!

This is long, sorry, but it's funny!  Woke up this morning and the sun was shining......what a great start to a beautiful day!  I had a Spring Craft Fair that was a benefit for the Chrohns Disease and Colitis Foundation, in support of "Kaylas's Krew" My daughter "found" the craft fair advertised on Craigs List of all places.  (she is my self proclaimed "business manager" after all....thank goodness!!) The morning started off wonderful.  I packed my SUV up the night before had everything ready to go, very organized, I was determined.....NOT TO BE LATE.  The only thing I left until the morning was to print my flyer's, they were already typed, I was all set................so I thought.......

I get up around 7:00am thinking I can enjoy the morning sunshine, have my coffee in the sunroom with my 3 dogs, relax and enjoy the morning.  Before I go down, I press print on my "ready to go" flyer's and grab my robe, come back to check and.....................UGGGGGGGGG the printer decides to run out of ink, only making 7 copies.... now I go into panic mode.  The craft show is at 10, set up is at 9:00... THIS IS NOT GOOD...I realized Walmart is 5 minutes away.... no time to get out of pjs... do I dare go to Walmart with pajamas on at 7:15 in the morning-in my own neighborhood........then I remember my daughter showing me a video on You Tube dedicated solely to "Walmart People" yes, "Walmart People" it's actually true and soooo very funny and now.... thats right .....I AM ONE OF  THEM!!!!!  I threw my long sweater on over my pajamas now 7:45 in the morning in my own neighborhood and went to Walmart to get the @#$%&* printer ink.  No coffee, no sunroom with my dogs, definitely not relaxing....at all.  Get to Walmart... not too many cars, thank goodness, at this point I didn't even care go back to the printer ink aisle, searched all over...o yes.... you guessed it ( I'm not making this up haha!)  out of the 93 and 92 ink, no where to be found!  Then an angel came from the back room, after looking for someone to help me for 10 minutes,  wearing a Walmart uniform asking if I needed help, AS the reminder alarm is going off on my phone..."craft show set up in 30 minutes" He was unloading new ink combo packs in ... yes!!!!  93 and 92's. Grabbed it out of his hand, did manage to say thanks and ran in my pajamas and long sweater to check out.  

Ok, now you've got to be kidding.....15 registers and only 1 lit up...with about 10 people in line.... some of whom were dressed just like me haha.....tick tick tick as I run over to the courtesy desk begging for them to let me check out there. Another nice person...ahhhhh.  I run out rush to get home get out of my car and now I call in the troops..... Thank God my husband was up he, reluctantly I might add ;)  took my SUV over to the craft fair, unloaded it for me, set up what he could while I finished printing the @#$%^ flyer's....  I throw my cloths on, put makeup on in the car, (I know not a good idea :) grab my purse, and flyer's and go, time is ticking and it is 9:55.  Thank goodness the church is 10 minutes away.  I get there in 5 minutes..... and without getting a ticket haha! Rush in.. hoping people won't be there until I was there tidy up a little, and finally just sit and breathe........... there were still a few vendors coming in so I didn't feel too bad.... but o my goodness, what it took for me to get there!  

I went to say hello to Ramonda, the wonderful person in charge of this event!  Walked around to look at the lovely items, then went back to my tables.  The sun was still shining, now it was a better day.  I'm here, I'm ready, I'm sitting around really nice people, and we wait.  It wasn't a very busy day and Ramonda felt so bad. She did everything she could to promote this great event for a good cause, and put her heart into it.  But I learned something today.....instead of feeling that it was a waste of time, it was quite the opposite.  There were quite a few vendors, so many nice people, I met people I never knew before, lots of smiles, good conversations, good coffee, (finally got my coffee, haha :) great antipasto bread and the satisfaction of knowing we all at least contributed to something good, a cause Ramonda worked very hard for. Sure we were all there to make money,  but I left there feeling that it didn't really matter today how much I sold, I was just glad I was there, glad I met the people I did, glad to contribute to something that really mattered.....    

                                                   Some pictures to enjoy from today!

Enjoy your day!   Sandy

Catch Up Time!!

Hi there!  I haven't had much time to blog this weekend but it was so great having my family together for the holidays!  We actually got to see 4 (yes I said 4) AAA Yankee games and 2 of the days it was actually nice out haha.. Haven't worked on any new items yet but the great news is I decided to have a Mother's Day Sale at my shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandyNewhartDesigns?ref=pr_shop and I'm offering FREE SHIPPING until May 4th!  So if anyone is interested, now's the time to shop because it's something I can't do very often because many of my items are very full and heavy......so.... HAPPY SHOPPING!!!!!!

It is my day off today, and as usual I have many annoying errands to run.... One of the errands I have is to go to is my accupuncturist. Sounds scarey right? Well, I am petrified of needles and it took alot for me to say yes to my doctor but I trust him and so I went.  I almost panicked until the first one was in and I didn't feel it.....I thought "ok I can get through this".... so #2 #3 I kept counting, 15 needles uggggggggg.  I only slightly felt one, thank goodness, got covered with a mylar blanket, oh yes....on top of the needles, I was assured I wouldn't feel the pressure.... panicked again......ok blanket on didn't feel it.  I felt instant heat, ahhhh it was wonderful.  Not knowing what else to expect, the Dr. shuts off the lights, puts on spa music, are you sleeping yet :)  and walks out and says, "see you in an hour"!   I'm thinking.... really?? I can seriously do this.  So I close my eyes and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, out cold haha. An hour goes by lights go on, and he takes the needles out...I didn't want to go....he says see you next week :)  I walked out with a smile on my face knowing that I would be coming back for this wonderful pin sticking serenity that I was sooooo afraid of.  Oh and did it help my back, ummmm maybe for a day or two, but for that hour I was in such a quiet, warm place, conquering a fear, feeling I accomplished something, for my back, but for myself as well.  If you ever get a chance to do it I highly recommend it for whatever ails you or just to escape for a little while just for the relaxation!  Who knew?

PS Gotta go,  I have an appointment I'm actually looking forward to :)    blog later........


Have a great day!


Sandy

HAPPY EASTER!

Good Morning!  It's Easter morning and  IT'S NOT RAINING!!!!  (yet haha) Not much time to blog today, dinner, baseball game, maybe a movie with the family...... Just wanted to say enjoy your day, and your families and check back I'll catch up hopefully in the next few days!

Feel free to check out some new items from my Etsy shop, to the right and to view in full size,
SandyNewhartDesigns'Etsy Shop!


Enjoy the day!  Sandy

Home for the Holidays!

Hi There!  Thank goodness it's Friday!

I haven't written in a few days, had to work, also worked on my arrangments, listings, errands, and not to mention cleaning my house after not having much time to do it since Tuesday!  My daughter Melissa, (my Etsy, facebook, twitter and craft show business manager....  lol) came home today, I am sooooo happy.... missed her so much.  I always like to have the house "just perfect" or as close to perfect as I can so when she comes home it's an ahhhhhhh feeling :) and I want her to realize how much she misses home :) Not so easy when I haven't had that much time to clean up after my 18 year old son, Christopher, who I love dearly and my wonderful husband Chet, my three dogs and of course myself.  It seems for the few days and long shifts that I do work, things just PILE up and get away from me, until Friday night. In between I try to get to my shop on my days off to work on my wreaths and centerpieces and at night squeeze in listing and posting pictures. Not to mention, because it's baseball season, going to or watching the Yankees on TV with my husband.  The reality is I think I thrive on trying to stretch my self very thin (I wish literally hahaha!!)  The good news is I got everything done that I wanted to, the house was ready, her room was dusted vaccumed and waiting for her.  Her little poodle was waiting for her and I couldn't wait to get home to give her a hug! It's so nice to have another female in my house to hang with besides my adorable dogs. (sorry Lola, Tasha and Baby!)

Anyway it's Easter weekend, and alot of family time so the craft part of my life will have to be put on hold for a few days, except for this silly computer which I think I'm becoming addicted to.... haha..  My mother-in-law is Italian and makes the best homemade sauce, homemade ravioli, Easter Pizza (Ham and Cheese and Egg) my favorite, and I'm sure homemade chocolate peanut butter eggs...... we will be eating dinner there, then of course..... an attempt AGAIN at a AAA Yankee baseball game!  And AGAIN it's supposed to rain uggggg.  I did get to make 2 new pieces this week and I really love the Mother's Day one, I would love it myself ;).... I'll post them below..... 

And now it's Friday night, Christopher's out, Melissa's out, Chet is out....fast asleep haha the dogs are fast asleep.... all is quiet, but so nice to know that when I wake up, rain or shine, my family will all be here at home..............just the way I like it :)   

This adorable frog arrangement is on reserve for someone but I do have one more that I will be making!

One of my favorites "Mother's Day!"

Have a wonderful Easter to everyone, enjoy your families........

    

Thanks for following!                       

Sandy  

What is a Widget?...... I Guess I Accidentally Found Out!

As usual with this whole computer thing, I see something on someone's blog that I love and instead of being a pain and asking, "how did you do that?"  I decide to search and waste countless hours on the computer...on my day off..... in between, trying to house clean, run errands, do laundry and make dinner, all before I planned on going to my shop to "create"  but as it usually goes with me, once I start something....I'm on a mission :)  So It's now "3", yes I said "3" hours later and, you guessed it...... I figured out what a widget was, and how to add this little widget to my blog!! Honestly, I have no idea how it came about, just like the countless other things I stumble upon, in my Etsy, Facebook, Twitter, and Blog adventures but.... Oh, the satisfaction  :/  It's a slide show of my Etsy shop and it looks beautiful! (Make sure you check it out- it's to the right of this page :) But at what cost.... I not only didn't get all the laundry done I wanted, I never went to my shop to make more "non-pastel" pieces haha... never got to run any of my errands but the important thing is I did get to make supper, I will drop my neighbors wreath off all on my way to my shop, and I am determined to get a few more pieces done and posted tonight......  a little late, but it's better late than never! I do have to say the little widget thing was definately worth it, even at the expense of everything else :)   Tomorrow is, as I say "another day" ........

Enjoy the day!  Sandy

Rain Rain GO AWAY!!!!!

Well I woke up this morning and the sun was shining, even though it was windy. I was almost afraid to look outside because I have  HUGE trees in and around my house and my back yard.  The wind was so wicked last night I was worried I was going to have a nice big hole in my roof from one or more trees falling! The good news.... no hole and the trees are still in tact. So I was hoping today we would have some sunshine and NO rain already.  But no luck.  It's been raining and windy and cold again all day...uggggg! They say April showers bring May flowers... my flowers better look like they've been on steroids when they start to bloom ;)

Anyway,  this morning I got a little note from Kate @ http://allthingspaperblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/sunday-shop-of-week-sandy-newhart.html that because I won her Easter contest in which I entered my little bunny arrangement, that I needed to send her information regarding myself and my craft so she can do an interview with me for her beautiful blog, "Shop of the Week"!  I forgot, (so sorry Kate) I never realized that Easter was already next weekend.  So I scrambled to get information together, copying and pasting info from every site that my daughter Melissa hooked me up with then .....tried to upload pictures of my work space for her and my artwork that inspires me and.... you got it ... no way, it won't let me download :( I gave up and had breakfast with my brother Bobby this morning and as usual he paid haha!  We always have a great time and great conversation when we hang out.  Then I came home and checked my shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandyNewhartDesigns?ref=pr_shop.  To my wonderful surprise Kate sent me a message to say my shop was featured live on her blog, pictures and all!  What a beautiful page it is.  I was soooo happy but curious..... still how in God's name did that happen? How did those pictures show up? I wish I knew for the next time.  Like I said many times in previous blogs it's all "trial and error" with me.  I guess I'll have to figure out what I did so I can do it again haha! So my "Shop of the Week" looks amazing on Kates blog and I'm honored to be on it!

This has to be one of my favorites!

Then a little after two I decided to go to my shop and make some arrangements and wreaths!  I did say I was going to try some pastel items with soft relaxing music... uhhh no, that wasn't happening.  I wasn't feeling it so I put on my usual music, Usher, Lady Gaga, J Lo, Pit Bull, etc.... and then started to get motivated. Ok so I did one (1) pastel arrangement and I do love it but then I looked around for my next inspiration and it was..... 2 flourescent lime green plush frogs!  I couldn't help myself.  So now I put away the pastel flowers and start looking for my favorites, hot pink, lime green.  Lots of color...I finished the wreath and I LOVE it, it's really adorable, but VERY bright :).  Now for my next piece.... I look at the pastels and .... nope I couldn't do it. I pulled out bright yellow, purple, hot pink silks for my next little piece. So I did try but I didn't fail I just continued to do what I love, how I love to do it!  So the pastels will have to wait for another day, the music, however, will NEVER change, it motivates me to keep moving and creating.  So all together not a bad day, I'm going to start posting my newest items, then sit and relax to watch a Yankees game.... on TV with my cup of tea.....

Enjoy the day!

Sandy

Off to Work!

Good morning!  I'm getting ready for a short day at work and then off to my shop to make and add some beautiful pastels to my very bright collections. I'm stepping outside of my very colorful box haha! I have some really nice ideas for what I want to make, so I'm looking forward to creating today!  I'll post some pictures and updates as soon as I can.......

Have a wonderful day!    Sandy

So Nice to Wake up to Sunshine and the Birds Chirping......

Well, as you know, yesterday was truly a "Horrible No Good Very Bad Day" for me.... I went to bed early for a change, hoping to put an end to it...lol!  I woke up early this morning, rested, to see the sun shining so bright, the birds chirping, bunnies in the yard, my iris's popping up all over and my 3 dogs, Lola "the pug", Tasha and Baby (pictured below) waiting for me patiently to come and play... soooo sweet... I took a little craft break from my "marathons" til 2 sometimes 3 in the morning to just sleep and regroup, hoping to re-energize myself.  It was a good morning!


On my way to work I realized how beautiful the pastel blue sky was and I was suddenly inspired to do something I NEVER do, yes...make some of my arrangements and wreaths in beautiful soft pastels.  I ALWAYS use ALOT of color, because I associate it with such a cheery, happy, feeling!  In Monday's blog I talked about the 4 pieces of art I have from the artist Lynn Hayes, who inspired me to love and make my pieces very colorful, combining patterns and textures.  After really looking at the sky, and yes, I am still driving, I realized that pastels are very beautiful and soothing.  So..... Now when I go into my shop this weekend, it will be creating in a little bit different direction for me.  I'll have to change my music to something a little softer to create the atmosphere :)  other than Little Wayne, Ludacris, Ke$ha, (it is a $ sign) J Lo, Pit Bull.... well you get the idea,  to more subdued and relaxing and soft.  Hopefully it will not put me to sleep....haha!  


Then I was notified that my Little "Bunny Patch Collection" bunny tied with another artist, by vote, to win an Itunes gift card and free, yes "free" advertising from Kate @ allthingspaper as featured "Shop of the Week" for one week (Thanks Kate) and featuring a little tutorial on what I do.  You can check it out at:  http://allthingspaperblog.blogspot.com/

Also, and yes more good news to make up for the rotten day yesterday, Melissa at: sahetahscrazedwritings.blogspot.com/2011/04/my-upcoming-weekly-newsletter.html       e-mailed me and asked me if I would like to feature my Easter Sale in her new Newsletter coming out on Monday...along with pictures of my pieces.  Make sure you also check out her newsletter, she really is so sweet.


I finally got to work, the day went by fast, had some laughs, the sun was still shining, and to my surprise, no rain in sight.  My husband and I made another attempt at a AAA Yankee Game.  I was actually starting to get nervous at the nice day I was having, but trying to think positive.  The game was great, the cinnamon sticks were better, haha and boy was it cooollldddd! but the Yanks won :)


So......now back to serious crafting sessions, the fog has cleared, (for now) I'm inspired and ready to start creating again!  My goal is at least 5 new pieces before Monday, in pastels (I'll really try, can't promise about the music ;) and last but not least I was also asked to put my Easter and Spring items for sale in John Heinz Facility sometime early next week! I'm really excited about it! 


I'm busy but I'm rested and I'm ready!!!! Not such a bad day after all :)


PS. for your enjoyment puppy pictures included!

Enjoy your day!     Sandy

                                              This one is trouble haha :)

The Terrible No Good Very Bad Day...... Enjoy!

Today is Wednesday and is usually my day off.  First off I'll start by saying I am extremely organized with appointments.... reminder alarms on my phone, reminder cards in my car etc. not to mention the confirmation calls from the appts.  I had planned on getting so much done today, then it begins.....I  get up at 6:30am, made my son pancakes, made myself really delicious banana whole wheat pancakes then remembered I had an appt.  I start to panick thinking "it was a fasting appt." ugggggg!!! I just ate pancakes... I called the office to check, they said it wasn't until next week,  whew.....then my reminder alarm goes off....I do have an appt. but not the fasting one.  Not only did I have that one .... they informed me that I had another one....ready......in the same building....."2" hours later!  While I had "2" hours to kill I decided to go to the ATT store to get internet on my phone, it was pouring, no umbrella, got soaked, go in standing there dripping, an older gentleman walked in after me, the key word here is after ;).  After waiting 25 minutes shivering because they had the air conditioning on, (are you laughing yet????) ATT guy finally asks if he could help who's next. Here it gets better, the older gentleman jumped in front of me and says I am.... ATT guy took him first. At this point I thought about leaving, or crying.... but DID NOT want to come back. OK, finally get ATT guy, he hooked me up with the internet, I'm now feeling I at least accomplished something, he shows me what to do, he says "you're all set to go".......NOT.  I go to my car try the internet, you got it... it doesn't work, BLACK SCREEN. Back to ATT guy,  checks it again does something.... IT WORKS! Now I have...yes only 15 minutes to get to my other appt. Go to my car try again, yay!  IT WORKS, getting ready to pull out and ATT guy is chasing my car in the rain..... I roll down the window and he says "sorry I forgot to put the back on your phone.... REALLY ???? I was pleasant, smiled and said "thanks"and went to my 2nd appt. Now I'm almost done....My husband and I are YANKEE FANS and live near the AAA Yankee Stadium with season tickets. The season opener was tonight and we couldn't wait to go after the day I had, I couldn't wait to go. This is the best, the temperature drops and yes you guessed it.....  it pours. So needless to say, this is the reason I'm sitting here doing this blog :) But I'm dry and got this all off my chest for you to enjoy!!!! So maybe I just needed to do this... relax...take a craft break and enjoy a quiet evening at home watching the Yankees on tv, while I'm sipping tea ;) I must say after today, it's well deserved! Tomorrows another day.........   :)


Sandy

Is Spring Really Coming?

Good morning!

It's Tuesday and it was so nice to wake up to my daughter Melissa's phone call and the birds chirping this morning!  Where is the sunshine??  I haven't been in my back yard all winter (I HATE the cold)  and peeked out today and to my surprise all my beautiful Iris's are starting to pop up!!  So nice to see, ok so I guess Spring is here. I really need the season to change. it's time.  I love being able to go out in my yard with my 3 dogs (featured picture today) running around playing while I putz around my garden, ahhhhh.... can't wait!

Oh well, it's back to work for me today after having 2 days off so I'll be giving my crafty hands a little break until tonight.  Last night went to my shop reorganized my work space so I can start all over again.  I can't create in total chaos, organized chaos yeah but not total. haha!  I did take some pictures of my work space to share where the creative juices flow.  I also took some pictures of how I do what I do.  It's a pretty simple process setting up....then comes the best part, putting it all together!  I hope when I get home today after supper, laundry, dishes, taking care of the dogs, I can sit down and post them ;)

Anyway, I have to get ready for work, my part time job, come home to my family and puppies, my full time job, and then to the shop, my stress relief job, haha!

Enjoy the day!  I'll blog later...........

Sandy

I'm Having an Easter Sale!

I know Easter is right around the corner... its coming quicker than I realized!  So if you love adorable bunnies and love spring arrangements, I have a sale for you :)   I'm taking $5.00 off my "Bunny Patch Collection" arrangements now so they can be shipped and arrive just in time for that special someone.  Here is one of my favorites!

Please visit "MY ETSY"@ 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandyNewhartDesigns?ref=pr_shop

Thanks and Happy Shopping!

Sandy

Good Morning.... It's Monday!

Good Morning!  It's Monday morning and I'd like to know where the sun is, and while I'm at it, where is Spring?  I have a day off from my part time job today, except for a quick meeting then I'm off to my shop to make some little wreaths!  I love using lots of color and have in mind what I'd like to use in my little pieces.  I realized last night what inspires me to design the way I do and use colors the way I use them..... I have 4 prints by Lynn Hayes that are in my kitchen, are way to big,  but I love them. I was going to post the pics but realized its artwork so I can't sorry, but they are big,  beautiful and colorful!  (you can probably google Lynn Hayes Prints to get the idea :)  Anyway I have errands to run, I'll blog later.    

Enjoy your day!

Sandy

Tomorrow's Another Day...

Hi there,

I've spent the majority of my day working on my new blog (yeah!) updating my Etsy shop doing lots of laundry and cleaning in between.  It's been a pretty productive Sunday. Tomorrow I plan on reorganizing my work space in my shop and making a few more pieces. I'm thinking I'm going to start making some smaller items tomorrow, focus mainly on small wreaths.  I love making smaller versions of the larger pieces .... there's alot of lonely smaller walls out there haha! Hopefully they will also get posted by tomorrow night.  Is there anyone who can give me advice how to get pictures on here that aren't gigantic??

Another New Beginning!

Hi and Welcome to my "first" blog!

Well, I have to be honest, I'm not really too computer savy and I tried to set up my first blog, not really sure how I got here haha! but here I am. :)  I have been designing silk floral and holiday wreaths, centerpieces, trees, swags, etc. for at least 10 years. I started out by making items for family and friends, then doing craft shows, to my own open houses at my local shop.  I recently, with my very supportive daughters' encouragment, and her computer expertise, opened up a shop on ETSY http://www.etsy.com/shop/SandyNewhartDesigns?ref=pr_shop) I really love doing what I do and have dreamed of opening up a shop of my own for so many years.  I decided to start with baby steps.  Little did I know that it does require quite a bit of work to get started the right way if I wanted to be successful.  But I'm encouraged and determined to succeed! It can be a little overwhelming at first but I'm starting to feel like I am getting the hang of it .......finally!!  If anyone would like to ask any questions on any of my items or what I do, or like to discuss or comment on any topic, please just feel free to post.  I am on twitter (www.twitter.com/sandynewhart) and my email is: sandynewhart@gmail.com.


Have a wonderful day!

Sandy