Stay Strong

I like this. Words we can often forget - but words to remember for anyone going through a difficult time.

Baby on the Way

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from a friend/co-worker of her young son wearing a T-shirt saying "BEST BIG BRO". I responded promptly telling her that the picture was really cute - and the shirt was fun.

She quickly appeared at my desk asking "Don't you get it?". I said "What?". She replied, "The picture."

I told her I thought it was a great photo - and I thought it was cute that he was being called a big brother....assumably to her family cat and dog.

She said "But don't you get it?......He doesn't have a sibling." I said, "Yup - that's so cute about him being a "brother" to the animals.

She stared at me with a quizzical smile/question on her face that basically said "you nut" - and at that moment I GOT IT. I broke out laughing - realizing that it was her cute way of telling me that she was pregnant and her son would soon have a new sibling!

We spent the next several minutes laughing at my response/non-response and then I was able to properly congratulate her.

To help remember our giggles about her big announcement - I decided to make her a coffee cup coaster of her son's photo. I printed the photograph, decoupaged it to the top of a tile, coated it poly spray, and added felt pads on the back.

She loved it.

Tree Yarn Bombing

I know it's crazy. I know it's nuts. But it just makes me smile when I see some of the fun yarn bombing that folks do.

Check out this article about a little bombing in a town in Iowa. And...they even give instructions on how to do your own tree bombing (I have to say I've always wondered how a person just "starts" knitting for a tree!).

Holiday Sale

If you are in the area, Cafe Wren, in Luck, Wisconsin is having their annual holiday sale this weekend and next. It's always a fesitve gathering of very talented artists selling some wonderful products just in time for the holidays (or for yourself!).

Stop on by - yummmm.....I can smell the hot cidar aroma already......

Rhapsody. Oh ya.

Be still my crazy heart. I just saw this on Yahoo Homes and my heart skipped a lavendar beat. It's so pretty - and I love what it says about it.

Imagine walking through a field of lavender, can you smell the fragrant blossom? Isn’t the field breathtakingly beautiful? Rhapsody is a light purple, almost lavender tint that will promote creativity, be uplifting and calming. It’s a relaxing color that is best used to create a restful and relaxing space.

Cyber Monday

It's Cyber Monday. If I would have had my game face on, I would have had loads of new product in my Etsy shop and giving you a code for that special discount everyone is looking for. Well I didn't. Maybe next year. But go ahead and take a look at all the other creative folks on Etsy today. You just never know what you'll find there!

Small Business Saturday

Small Business Saturday is a day for everyone — from the business owners who create jobs to the customers who buy locally — to support small businesses that invigorate the economy and keep communities thriving.

Help support local, small businesses in your community. Check out their website for more information.

Annie Sloan Paints

If you haven't already heard of (or used) these paints - you'll want to peek at this.

These paints are so chalk-like, vintage, antique, and wonderful. To me, they take me to a comfy, cozy, and warm place. I hate to have to admit that I haven't tried them yet - but I've yet to see a project painted with them that doesn't look fantastic. They are on the top of my "must try" list and some of her books are on my Christmas Santa list!

Take a look at Annie's blog for some grand inspiration. Below are some other photos I've seen of some fantastic furniture makeover projects.

Wool Dryer Balls

My oh my - I can't believe how long it has been since I've posted anything for The Lavendar Tree. Sometimes the weeks just fly by and I can't figure out where the time has gone.

I've been working on product for a couple local shows coming up in the next few weeks. (Note: HOW can it be creeping this close to the holiday's already??)

Here are a few 100% wool dryer balls in progress. They have yet to get the final outside layer of roving before the final felting process.

It cracks me up that even the not-to-be-ever-seen-again inside ends up being purple. I guess I really DO breathe purple.

Autumn Joy

A sweet friend of mine brought by these home-grown gourds and baby pumpkins the other day.

I love how they look all together on my kitchen table. They scream (in a good way!) autumn joy to me every time I pass by!

My Marketing Models

Three of my cute day-time co-workers did a 5-minute model shoot for me the other day wearing my scarves.

How cute are they? (And the scarves don't look too darn bad either!)  

Working in Wool

I took the day off from my "day job" today and should have spent more time working on wool. Instead, I spent time some time creating this fun little video.

Hope you like it.

Hot Eddie

Do you remember Eddie? He's the little character that had a blast going for a drive with me one fine spring day.

Move over Eddie.....HOT Eddie has arrived. Well, actually, he's not HOT, but he sure can be warm!

I've just finished a crop brood cluster family of Eddies but with different faces. These Eddies are made to go in the microwave for about 35 seconds. [Not much longer or the rice in-erds will burn.]

Once they are warm and toasty, they become little hand warmers for those crisp, blustery, winter mornings. They are the perfect size to slip into your coat pockets, drop in your boots to warm them before heading out the door, or, heck, you can even slip one down your sweatshirt for that extra special warm-up!

Their faces don't include buttons, so they are all wool and rice - fully prepared to slip in the microwave for a quick warm up.

Retire? Not Me.

Oh folks, I can't begin to tell you how true this is for my retirement!  :-)

Coulee Region Women

I was surprised and please to see my leather flower pins in the most recent issue of Coulee Region Women magazine.

I sell them and other items through LARK Boutique, a fun shop in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Check out the fun on page 45!