The Love & Hope for Our Little Angels Altered Book Charity Auction Event for NCCS is Underway!!!

Well, I finally got it all together and got everything listed. Please go check it out! There are some Lovely Items from some Amazing Artists, as well as the Two Altered Art Books.

I'm wore out so I'm off to go relax for a while before bed! Thank You to all who donated and to my Amazing hubby for not only creating the two videos of the books with the pages turning, but he also created the custom music for them as well. I think he did an awesome job. I know they are a bit dark, it was rainy and cloudy all day, as it has been for the last two months. LOL But I still think they came out Gorgeous!

Hugs to All!

Jewel ;o)

"Love & Hope for Our Little Angels" Altered Art Book Auction Event to Support NCCS Nov. 15-22, 2009

Some creations are inspired by the colors of a sunset or the shape of an egg nestled in the palm of a hand, others by a piece of music or the sound of the wind high in the trees. And while these are pretty and look nice on a side table or around a wrist, it’s art that comes from a deeper place and tells a story that is the most widely appreciated. Although the Etsy Cottage Style group is home to many with their own home-based or brick & mortar businesses, more than that it is a place where amazing artists and crafters can meet up, share ideas, and support one another. And what better way to come together as a group that looks beyond the “bottom line” than to band together to create something that will give back to the greater community?

Just a couple of months ago, the call went out: “How about we do a pass-around altered book?” Jewel from Shabby Boutique asked. And since then, the idea has grown from a basic craft to an international project that will be auctioned to raise money for a cause close to this woman’s heart: children with cancer.

The “swap” is still gearing up and getting organized, but we asked Jewel some questions to find out more about how it will work and the inspiration behind it.

What inspired the idea of a pass-around altered book?

 

J: I was looking at the vintage books at the thrift store; I always try to find books that I had as a kid so that I can get them for my children. I picked one up and thought, “What if I could get some others to do a pass-around altered book with me?” I’ve wanted to do one ever since I saw it on the Carol Duvall Show. But then I wondered who gets to keep it? It would be selfish of me to say that I would keep it since I started it. So, then it hit me—why not do it and then auction it off for the NCCS (National Children’s Cancer Society)? I thought that auctioning on eBay would be an issue since we are mainly an Etsy group, but when I posted the thought in our group, no one seemed to mind. I figured we just might be on to something here! LOL!

Tell us about your personal story and your connection to the NCCS.

J: Well, my story is a long one. But what it boils down to is this: I was in an awful marriage with a man who turned to drugs. Things went from bad to worse financially, and then got very ugly when he started becoming increasingly violent and verbally abusive. One day he just snapped and hit me. That is when I said, enough is enough. That was the Saturday before Mothers Day, and on Monday I got a restraining order to get him out.

 

Two weeks later on June 1st, 1999, I took my three-year-old son Cody to the doctor. He’d been vomiting on and off for a few days in between playing—you know how little kids can be. But that morning he was just very lethargic and could barely speak. It looked like he was gasping for air, he had no color to his lips, and his eyes were sunken. After calling the doctor’s office and trying to get in immediately, I was given an appointment for 30 minutes later. Even though the office was 20 minutes away, I said, “Whatever it takes, I’ll have him there.”

 

At first the doctor said that he could see nothing wrong with Cody. But he took a blood sample and soon returned to say that I needed to sit down. He told me it was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and I remember sort of laughing but with an edge of panic, saying “Is that serious?” I just dropped to my knees and thought to myself, Now what? I thought that things were going to get better with my ex-husband gone. I was, for once, enjoying life, truly happy and had an inner peace that I have never had before in my tumultuous life.

 

The doctor immediately sent us to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Cody was put in PICU right away to have his blood filtered. I found out that he very likely would’ve suffocated in his sleep that night if I hadn’t taken him to the doctor. He had virtually no red blood cells left. I found out several months later that the doctor had already scheduled Cody for a bone-marrow transplant but did not think that he would make it past his first night. Miraculously he pulled through, and we spent almost a year in the hospital.

 

During that hospitalization I couldn’t work because there was no way that I was leaving him at the hospital alone. I saw way too many kids just dropped off for days, weeks, and months at a time with no visitors or phone calls. So I had the children come to our room, and we watched movies, played games, and did whatever fun stuff we could to pass the time. I missed my other son miserably, but the hospital was nice enough to let Dillon come and stay with us sometimes. I still feel guilty that he lost his father, his mother, and his brother all within a few short weeks and was sent to stay with great grandma and grandpa. But I had to do what I had to do. I just hope that he forgives me for the choice I made.

 

Everyone kept saying to me that I was amazing and asked how I did it. I’m not amazing. I just did what I had to do and didn’t think twice about it. You just go with the flow, but the real key is laughter. It has always gotten me through the rough times in my life. Even the psychologist said in the hospital, “I don’t understand how you do it. I keep expecting you to crack, but you don’t. You just keep on smiling and laughing and going on.” I just learned a long time ago that if you can’t change it then don’t worry about it. Just laugh and go on.

 

It was a long battle. I couldn’t work and had no child support, so the NCCS (National Children’s Cancer Society) helped me with my house payments, utilities, gas money, food, you name it. But they also helped emotionally and spiritually, too. I owe the NCCS—and other organizations like it—more than I could ever repay. So I take every opportunity to help them or give back. I don’t think people ever realize how much these charities need our support to help others in time of need until you have been in that situation. I know that I used to sort of frown on the people standing outside of the stores wanting you to donate. I was more worried about how we were going to get food on our table or clothes on our back. But since this happened, I will now be the first one in line to donate. I do as much as I can to help others in my community as well as other communities.

What is the theme for the pass-around altered book?

J: The theme is “Love & Hope for Our Little Angels.”

How will the swap work? That is, who will start it, how will it travel, how many people will be involved, where will it end up, and how will it be auctioned? Also, what about page size and photographs of the work in progress?

J: Everyone who was interested has sent me pages based on dimensions that I gave them earlier. I then made the covers and put them together. There are two books; one with 15 pages and one with 16 pages. Each person made one or two pages and decorated them however he/she liked, using whatever medium he/she liked. I wanted everyone to put his/her heart and soul into it so that love just oozes from the pages.

I would love to have as many people as possible involved with this, and I would like to be able to auction the book off around Christmas time. I think it would be a great time to make the donation as every kid and family needs a little extra then, and it would make a great gift for someone. Since the books are already finished, we are looking for others to donate items to be auctioned off alongside the books to help bring in more money, awareness and to help advertise the books. All who would like to donate items to be auctioned off will keep the items they donate and just send me pictures, your business name/user ID (let me know if it’s Etsy or eBay, etc.), if you will donate shipping or how much you want for shipping, items details, your zip code or area so that I know what to put in the shipping calculator, etc,. The rest will be announced in the group and on the blog. You do not have to be part of ECS to donate items for this event. Anyone willing to help out for this cause is not only encouraged, but appreciated. Anyone that would like to donate anything for this Charity Auction Event may contact me via email with "Love & Hope" written in the message line.

I have been involved with many charity auctions via a group on eBay called P.E.P. (Painting eBay Pretty). I was a group moderator until a few years ago, when opening my own shop meant that I had little extra time. But I have helped with and been in charge of several charity auctions. As a matter of fact, we do one for the Susan G. Komen Foundation every year.

Tell us more about the theme.  How do you envision the swap members using that idea? Do you want them to make multi-media art pages? Write stories? Both?

J: I told my story to a couple of ladies, which, without my knowing so, helped them make some tough decisions. Later when they told me how I gave them a spark of hope and courage, it made me feel good that they were inspired by my story. But, really, they found the courage within themselves to do what was right. I love helping others though, that is where I have always gotten my true joy from life. So, if by sharing my stories I can help others, then I will talk, chat, or email away. LOL!

I envision pages just oozing with Love & Hope for our little ones. Everyone has her own idea of what Love & Hope is, and that is what I envision for this book.—everyone’s ideas and hearts coming together. They can write poems, paint on the pages, write stories, or share their own family photos—just whatever comes to mind when they think of Love & Hope. I want the members to use their hearts and creativity.

As written by Tiffani aka Ric Rac Sally

 

Cody when we first got to the hospital before they started treatment on June 2nd 1999

 

His favorite thing to do was put lotion on his feet. It relaxed him, so he would do it several times a day. We should take a lesson from him and take time to pamper ourselves. :)

 

Cody after they started his chemo. He couldn't even feed himself because of all the tubes and wires in the way. I had to feed him.

 

After they started his chemo. We thought that he wasn't going to lose his hair because he kept it for about 2 weeks after chemo started. But then one day he woke up and hair everywhere. Through it all he stayed positive though.

 

The doctors and nurses dubbed this purple car "Cody's Car". One of the Doctors even put a license plate on it that said "Cody's Car". That car got a lot of mileage put on it by Cody. We would spend hours wheeling around his pole so he could just go in circles in that car. Then he figured out how to do it himself. That was a sight, pole in one hand and the steeing wheel in the other. LOL I wish I could find a pic of that.

 

This is cody today. He is 13, healthy and happy. I Thank God every day that he is still with us.

 

 

About NCCS

If you would like to know more about NCCS, please visit their website. Please spread the word and help this organization help those children and families in need. And please mark your calender and come back during the charity auction event to make sure that you help support NCCS. Thank You so much for your help, as it truly means a lot to us!

 

 

When will this event be held?

The "Love & Hope for Our Little Angels" Charity Auction Event will be held from November 15-22, 2009 on eBay, user ID etsy_cottage_style (etsy_cottage_style). At that time we will be auctioning off the two books, support banners and other creations from our Etsy Cottage Style members and others.

 

If You Would Like to Donate to This Amazing Charity Event

Here is how it will work and what information we will need if you would like to donate items for this amazing charity event:

If you would like to donate an item or items to this charity auction event you will send us the information that we need to post your item on eBay and then we will list said item. Once the auction is over and the item is paid for, we will notify you and give you the information you will need to ship the item to the person that won the auction. The cut off date for accepting donations will be November 8th, 2009 at 11:59pm CST. This will give us time to get the listings ready so that we can prelist them to all start on November 15th. We will not be able to accept items after the cut off time and date. If you would also like to run auctions on your own eBay user ID during this time for the charity auction you may do so. It would help also if you could point out that there are other items for auction under the Etsy_Cottage_Style user ID so that we get more traffic to help promote the books, which is the main items being auctioned off, and the other items being auctioned off..

The information we need for the items that you would like to add to this charity auction event will be:

1. Your eBay user name/ID, (if you have one) or your business name or name on Etsy Cottage Style, Etsy, website, etc,. We also need to know your real name, but if you would like us not to post that in the listing, or would just like your first name listed or any other special requests concerning the use of your real name, then please just tell us in your email. We will post the name of your eBay user name/ID (if you have one) and one other business name/user ID/name on the listing of your item/items.

2. Pictures of the item/s you are donating. Please make sure that you pictures are clear and lighted properly so that buyers are sure of what they are getting. Please make sure that if there are any flaws that you have clear pictures of them as well. Pictures should be around 400 pixels wide but no larger than 550 so that they are not too slow to load on dial-up computers. Also if you can compress your images without lessening the quality of the photo, then please do so. That will also help our dial-up users.

3. We will also need clear and concise details and descriptions of the item/s that you are donating so that the buyers know exactly what they are purchasing. Please know that the more information that you give, the better it is for the buyers. We will not be editing your descriptions though, we will only be cutting and pasting them into the listings, so please make sure that they are in proper format, spelling and paragraphs as well.

4. We will also need an email address to add to the listing so that if buyers have a question/s about the item that they may contact you. And so that we can contact you about your item/s and send you the information you will need to ship the items to the buyer once the sale ends.

5. Will need to know what zip code, country, etc,. you will be sending the item from so that we can put that in the listing as well. We will also need to know if you will be donating shipping as well or how much you will need for shipping for both International and US shipments. Please know that you will be insuring and tracking the packages as well for both International and US shipments because of this being for charity. So, please remember to include those extra costs in the shipping amount. You may also wish to put in shipping as a flat rate or a based on buyers address so please let us know that as well. If you are adding in an extra amount for insurance, tracking, etc,.on a "based on buyers address" it will be added in as a handling charge so we will need to know what that handling charge is so that we can add that as well. Also, if you could put all of this information in your description it will also help the buyers know what the shipping charges are. EBay will not allow for insurance to be optional on items sold on eBay anymore, so that is why the insurance now has to be added in to the shipping charge either as a handling charge or in the flat rate amount.

6. All auctions will start off at $9.99 and donations will be 90% of the sale price. The other 10% will go towards Paypal and eBay fees. Any amount left over after the fees are paid will go to NCCS through Mission Fish.

7. Please send all of your donation information here with "NCCS Donation" in the subject line so that we know that it is donation information. If you have other questions, concerns or comments please email us separately from your donation email so that we make sure and get back to you right away. Also, if you get an email from us concerning your donation, please respond to it as quickly as possible so that we can get your listings up as soon as possible. And be sure to check your spam/junk mail folders as well once you send us your donation information as well, just in case we contact you and it goes to your junk/spam mail folder.

 

 

Purchase a Support Banner for NCCS

We will also be selling Support Banners that you can purchase with the proceeds to also go to NCCS. Purchase as many as you wish for yourself or to give to friends, neighbors, relatives and even your favorite sellers. They are already for sale and will be on sale until November 23rd, 2009. You may place these banners on your blog, in your emails, in your eBay auctions/stores, on your website's or anywhere else that you would like to show your support for such a wonderful cause. You will be receiving these graphic banners in your email so once you purchase it/them remember to watch your email (the email address that is attached to your Paypal account) for them. Please not that we will only be sending one per purchase/email account. You may then send them on to the loved ones that you purchased them for if you purchased more than one. Below is what the banner looks like and if you click on it it will take you to the eBay listing for purchasing them.

 

 

Help Spread The Word

If you could please post the banner below and link on your blog or site to help us spread the word about this wonderful charity event, we would most appreciate it.

To be held November 15-22, 2009 on eBay under user ID etsy_cottage_style

 

Here is a Slide Show of some of the Pages that are in the Book! This is just a Sneak Peek!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

If you need any more information about this event or to send your information to us for your donations or for any questions you may have, please contact us. If you are sending us your information regarding your donation to this event, then please put "NCCS Donation" in the subject line so that we know to add those emails to our list of donaters. Thank You All so much for your help and support with this Charity Event. If you would also like to help with this event you may also contact us.

Thank You from the bottom of our Hearts!

 

 

New! Crafting Confections available at Shabby Boutique!

New "Crafting Confections", "Craft Supplies Almost Good Enough to Eat!" available for sale at Shabby Boutique. These are just some of the items that are already are available for sale or will be available soon. "Crafting Confections" are either New or Vintage craft supplies that I promise to be Scrumptious.



Vintage and New Millinery

Vintage Silky Rayon Seam Binding Ribbon
If you have not already been introduced to Vintage Seam Binding Ribbon, you are in for a treat. It is sooooo addictive. It comes in so many shades and is so silky and soft and femine. Once you use some, you will be hooked. It is great for both crafting and sewing creations. From Gift Tags to Pillows and everything in between.

Champagne Fizz Trio

Blueberry Parfait Trio

Blueberry Confections

Beach Front View Trio

Banana Split Trio

Ocean Breeze Trio

Coconut Neapolitan Trio

Chocolate Petit Four Trio

Chocolate Covered Berries

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Trio

Strawberry Parfait Trio

Strawberry Confections Trio

Spumoni Ice Cream Trio

Pistachio Pudding Trio

Old Fashioned Cotton Candy

More Coming Soon!

More Christmas Creations Available for Sale!

Here are more Christmas Goodies! I've been busy! :)

Pink & Aqua Gingerbread Cottage in a Vintage Cloche Display

Here is my latest creation! I actually did it for the Lollishops Gingerbread House Challenge, but it is available for sale on my website and Lollishops Shoppe. This is crafted after the Vintage Holiday Cloches that my grandmother had. I don't know what ever happened to them, but they were Gorgeous! Take a Peek Here if you are interested in purchasing it!









Happy Holidays!
Jewel ;o)

Snow Globes for Christmas

I have such fond memories of crafting with my grandmother when I was very young. One of the things we used to make was Snow Globes for Christmas. We would use plastic flowers, beads and pearls, mica flakes and whatever else we could scrounge up from around the house. I miss those old snow globes, so I decided to do my own take on them and make a few. I had such fun making these two that I will be making more of them for sure. And of course even some for other holidays.

These are Waterless Snow Globes that I put together using some Vintage & Antique images from my vast postcard collection, Vintage Mica Flakes, Vintage Glitter, Beads & Pearls and other various items. I hope you like them as much as I enjoyed creating them. And Keep Peeking for more in the near future!

P.E.P Charity Auction Event!

I am a part of sellers group on eBay and we are having our 3rd annual Susan G. Komen Charity Auction Event. Breast Cancer is a horrible thing and we need to ban together to do everything we can to find a cure for this cancer and all other cancers out there. Having several friends of mine pass away in their early 30's due to breast cancer and almost losing my middle son Cody to Leukemia I can tell you that it can and will affect everyone somehow or in some way. Whether it's your brother, sister, mother, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, neighbor, it doesn't matter. Someone you know eventually will be affected by either cancer itself or the pain of losing a loved one to it.

No one should fight cancer alone.

Annually P.E.P - Painting eBay Pretty holds the largest multi-seller charity auctions ever held on ebay Benefiting Komen for a Cure.

Breast cancer is no laughing matter. over 200,000 women and men will be diagnosed with this disease this year alone.

This year will be no different in our quest for a cure for this devastating disease but, No one should fight cancer alone.

Someone you know has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Being the most predominate cancer to women it will always be the most fought for cause

With this said.. the pain does not just walk away nor the person be forgotten. I pray today to our sweet Lord for a cure for all cancer. I pray today that if you are reading this you can feel in your heart to give to fight for a cure for cancer. We have chosen the cause and it is time to fight. Brenda lost her battle but can we all fight for a cure? She is looking over us now and it is time for us to all give back. Please I pray you will bid on the charity auctions and that with all our efforts put forth that your donation will be what helps us push to find a cure. No matter how big or how small it all counts.

We ask for all the sisters in the world to help us to help find a cure. The funding for Komen helps for early detection and helps people that may not be able to afford medicines or treatments that are so needed. It helps for breast exams and so many other things.

Today we stand up and we fight together.. because.. No one should fight cancer alone.

P.E.P - Painting eBay Pretty's Largest Multi-seller charity auctions benefiting Komen for a Cure October 19-25th, 2008 On the eBay Selling Id- Painting-e-bay-Pretty.

So, please click on the link below and help us find a cure!

SUGAR COOKIES! YUMMY!! : p

I have never been a big fan of sugar cookies although they always look and smell so good. I guess I have sensitive taste buds because they always taste bitter to me because of the baking powder in them. But I finally found some where the bitter taste isn't overpowering and I can finally enjoy sugar cookies too. So me and the kids had some fun making some and putting icing and lots of sprinkles on them. I mean really, what is a sugar cookie without the delectable sprinkles? The glittery goodness and shimmer of the sugar. :) Here are some pics of our cookies. Don't they look good? We did these a couple of weeks ago, but now I think we are going to have to make some more.

Something you should try, just a little something I made up. I love to cook and I love coming up with new foods whether it's delectable (this is one of my 5yr. olds favorite words) desserts or scrumptious (this being his other favorite word) dinners.

Using a cookie sheet or baking pan put you cookie dough in to make bar cookies spreading the dough so it is about a half inch thick in the pan. Then cook until the middle is done. You may get some browning around the edges but that's ok because you can cut those off and snack on them later when no one is looking. :) After the giant cookie is done take it out and let it set for a few min. to cool slightly. You want your cookie bars to still be warm. Then cut into decent sized bars and top with vanilla ice cream, warm caramel sauce and hot fudge.

For more enticing flavor push white, peanut butter or chocolate chips and either almonds, macadamia nuts, pecans or walnuts into the dough before you bake it. This is one of the best desserts ever.

Busy, Busy, Busy, Busy! Did I mention Busy? : )

For Sale, but not listed yet. If you are interested just email me. (I know the picture is awful, it was cloudy out when I took the pic, but it is so much prettier in person like the matching wreath)

Boy I tell you, I am always so busy I never have much time to do the things that I want to do lately. I don't get much "ME" time to do things I want to do. But then again, my life has always been about making others happy. And that's what makes me happy, so I guess I don't need a whole lot of "Me" time anyway, but it would be nice once in a while. The only thing that I have noticed though, when I go shopping for myself I always feel guilty for buying things for myself and always wind up getting things for everyone else or for my business. I very rarely ever get something that is truly for "Me". And when I do get some quiet time to myself, then I'm bored out of my mind because I don't know what to do with myself. Do any of you ever feel that way or am I just crazy? LOL

I'm getting ready to start listing some Christmas items. I have already had quite a few things sell, so my Seasonal shoppe is looking a little bare. I want to make more of my Vintage Style Tulle Wreaths, I sold out of all that I made last year, they were a big hit. And of course I made and sold lots of the matching Vintage Style Tulle Trees, My Shabby Gingerbread Cottages, Tree Skirts, Stockings, Stocking Sachets and Sugared Vintage Style Ornaments. Christmas is definitely my favorite Holiday, Easter is Second and Valentines is a close 3rd. Here are some of my Christmas items that I have made this year so far that I will be listing soon and some that I already I sold. Enjoy!

Jewel ;o)


Sold


Sold


Sold


Sold


Sold


Sold


Sold Out at the moment, but will do custom orders for more! These also come in round and oval.


Sold


Sold


Lots of these in stock, but get them while you can. These are big sellers so I always start on my wallpaper ornies early. They also come in other colors and prints. I know the pictures don't do them justice, you can't see all of the sparkle they have with the all the German Glass Glitter covering them. You can find them Here!


Sold


Available Here


Not listed yet, but available if interested, just contact me.


Sold


Sold


Sold


Available Here


Sold, but more like this in other colors coming soon!


Available Here!


Sold


These are available Here


Not listed yet, but available, just contact me if interested. I also have Sugared Ornaments that match this available and also not listed yet.


You can find these Here


Sold


These are available Here. These also come as magnets for your fridge in sets of 4 and are professionally packaged in a clear container in paper cups perfect for gift giving. These look so real you just want to eat them. :)

What Color Rose Am I?

You Are a Light Pink Rose

You represent sweetness and grace. Your vibe: Kind and gentle Falling in love with you: is like falling in love with a best friend

What Color Rose Are You?

New Business & Thank You Card Designs in My Etsy Shop

These Business Card Designs can be used as Thank You Cards, Gift Tags, Hang Tags or even Gift Certificates. Your Choice of Design or I can create custom ones just for you.















Look for more Business and Thank You Card Designs Coming Soon!

Has it Really Been a Month?

I can hardly believe that it's been a month since I last posted on here. The time has flown by so quickly. The kids are now back in school. This year our youngest has joined the bus riding school kids. LOL He turned 5 in June and was so excited about being able to go to school this year. I can't believe he's in school already. I was sooo not wanting him to go this year, maybe wait a year. :) I was, nor am I still, just not ready to let him go. I dearly miss him coming to me in the middle of; a phone conversation, working on graphics, crafting, cooking or whatever it is that I'm doing during the day, and wanting lovin's. It is sooooo quiet around here that I have been hearing noises that I didn't even know existed. My hubby too has been working so much lately that I've been here by myself since school started. So, even though I have been getting a lot done, I'm lonely. LOL I miss my children. I miss not being able to hear the refrigerator and air conditioner running. :) I have even heard a ticking noise coming from the cable box as I sit by myself and eat lunch. Well, when I eat lunch. I know it is horribly bad for you to not eat regular meals, but I just really don't eat during the day. I have never been a big eater and eating breakfast has always made me feel ill in the mornings. And then I throw my self into whatever it is that I'm doing throughout the day that I really forget to eat. So, I eat dinner and popcorn maybe in the evening. Popcorn and movies are my only vice. LOL

Ok, let me stop rambling and fill you in on a few new things I listed on Etsy. I have actually had these gift tags made for quite some time just never had the time to get them listed. I had such a great time making these and I will be adding more as I get the pics done and uploaded. I will also be adding more gift tags soon as well as more collage and microscope slide sheets too.

DIY Gift Tag Kit comes with Vintage Seam Binding/Ribbon in 3 different colors (bubble gum pink, creme and baby blue), Vintage Buttons, Silver-lined Bugle Beads, Pink Satin Ribbon Roses, 6 Swarovski Crystals (two each of jonquil/soft yellow, vintage rose and aquamarine) all professionally packaged perfect for gift giving.

Gift Tag Set with images of Antique Pink Roses Postcards from my own personal collection. All hand cut with scalloped edge scissors, sprinkled with Vintage AB Fairy Dust, Adorned with Vintage Seam Binding and a Swarovski AB Crystal. All professionally packaged with an extra yard of Vintage Seam Binding perfect for gift giving.

Beach Cottage Gift Tag Set with images of a Lovely Lady from an Antique Postcard from my own personal collection. All hand cut with scalloped edge scissors, sprinkled with Vintage AB Fairy Dust, Adorned with Vintage Seam Binding and a Swarovski Aquamarine Crystal. All professionally packaged with an extra yard of Vintage Seam Binding perfect for gift giving.

Gift Tag Set with images of an Adorable Little Girl Dressed in Pink holding a Pink Rose from an Antique Postcard from my own personal collection. All hand cut with scalloped edge scissors, sprinkled with Vintage AB Fairy Dust, Adorned with Vintage Seam Binding and a Swarovski Vintage Rose Crystal. All professionally packaged with an extra yard of Vintage Seam Binding perfect for gift giving.

Vintage Baby Cards Digital Microscope Slide/Collage Sheet taken from Vintage Baby cards in my own personal collection

And last but not least 3 different Pink Roses and Other Florals Digital Microscope Slide/Collage Sheets with images from Antique Postcards in my own personal collection.






You can either click on the image to be taken to the Etsy listings or you can click here to visit my Etsy shop.

I hope you have enjoyed another preview of my newest items. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment. Time to make dinner. Hope to see you again soon!...Jewel ;o)

My email account was hijacked!

I just want to let everyone know that my email account was hijacked by someone claiming to be the CEO of Smith Textiles, Michael Smith. They somehow got into my email account and sent thousands of spam emails from it while I was on vacation this past week, so I did not realize what had happened until I got home almost a week later.

They were emails saying that Micheal Smith, CEO of Smith Textiles has job opportunities for people in the US to receive Money Orders from orders and cash them at their bank and then send 90% of the money via Western Union to him with details to be sent later.

I still have no idea how this person got into my email account, but the first thing that made me realize is that when I checked my email through Outlook Express when I returned home, I had not gotten any emails since Wednesday, (today is Monday) and that is very unusual being that it is my business email account therefor I get numerous emails daily from clients, friends and yes, spam. I then went directly to my email server account to find that there were no emails there either. So I called my email service provider and they looked into it for me. She came back and asked me who Michael Smith was. I do not know a Michael Smith I told her. She told me to look into my Compose Email folder where the information for who is sending the email, etc,. is stored. They had changed it to say from Michael Smith at Shabby Boutique. Then looking further into it found that they had also changed my forwarding address to send them to whoever this is at another email addres, instead of my Outlook inbox, and then delete all of my incoming emails.

This angered me as well. Any emails that I got from clients, orders taken, friends, family, anything, has been deleted. So besides trying to ruin my company name and business, they have deleted all of my email. The other sad part is that since I have rectified the email situation; ie., changed my email account password and settings, etc,. There have actually been people reply to this persons spam with their names, addresses and telephone numbers. Which also means that they opened the attachment from someone that they don't know. Do people still not understand that you never open an attachment from some one you don't know?

This saddens me that someone would do such a thing to someone. Whether it be hijacking someones email account, or sending out phishing emails, or even try to defraud others in any way. My heart breaks knowing all of this, and it breaks for those that do get taken by these (excuse my word) Jerks. What possesses others to take advantage of others. Don't people look into their hearts and realize that you should treat others how you want to be treated? Don't people have a conscious any more?

So, if anyone tried to email me last week until this afternoon, I have to apologize, but I did not receive your emails. The situation is now rectified and I am currently receiving my emails and no other of my accounts were compromised, ie,. Paypal, eBay, etc,. I just want to clear my name and my business of any of these spam emails and anything that may have happened from any of these emails. I have been in business since late 1999 and this is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me.

Thank you for your understanding,
Sincerely,
Jewel Simonson
Shabby Boutique

Here are some of My Favorite Things and Colors!

I put together this compilation of of some of my favorite things and colors. My inspiration for the colors is an old Wilendur table cloth I bought years ago. It's pink and red roses with aqua leaves. I loved it so much I went and had paint matched to the aqua and painted my deck aqua and white with touches of the palest pink. I then loved it so much that I bought more of the same color paint to paint my kitchen and living room. I love aqua with pink roses and then a few hints of red here there for some pop.

More New Website Templates!

I have added a Few More Website Templates to Shabby Boutique...go check them out! Remember I do Custom Orders as well. If you have a Vision...let me bring it to Life for You!



Elegant Cherubs Website Template



Retro Glam Website Template



Victorian Elegance Website Template

Visit Shabby Boutique for more Website Templates and Graphics!

New Website Templates Added to Shabby Boutique

Good News! I have some NEW Website Templates listed on my website Shabby Boutique. I will be adding more as the days go on. If you are in need of a Website Template and have an idea for one, let me bring it to life for you. I love creating custom Graphics for my Friends and Clients. :)


Paris Glam Website Template



Sweet Cottage Roses Website Template


Victorian Delight Website Template


Victorian Roses Website Template

Romantic Postcards Website Template

New Supplies added to my Etsy Shop

Good News! I have added some New Supplies to my Etsy Shop! Vintage Seam Binding and Hand Dyed Cotton Twine for starters. I have also added some Collage Sheets that were inspired by Marie Antoinette. I finally got to see the movie while I was on vacation. It was a Gorgeous movie and now I know why it has inspired so many swaps, and blogs, and decorating. All my fav colours of Pinks & Blues and Pink Roses too! :) I also have some backgrounds and other graphic images that you can purchase to print out for your Altered Art, Scrapbooking, etc,. So, go take a peek at my Etsy Shop to see what else is in store for you. I will be adding some Vintage Wallpaper & Supply Packs soon too! So don't miss out on them also!

My Fabulous Easter Finds

I know, I know. It's way past Easter. But I finally found these pics I took of my Favorite Easter Finds and wanted to share them with my friends. My first find was this Adorable Vintage Light Up Blow Mold Aqua & Pink Easter Bunny. I got this Fabulous find from Miss Maddies Mercantile. They are the Sweetest Ladies and they always have such great items with "Can You Say Free Shipping?". Yes you heard me correctly Free Shipping!

I made the sweet little blue gingham ducky and had planned on making a pink one too, but didn't have the time. OH, well, maybe later he will get a sister. LOL I think he's 2 Cute though. :)

My other Favorite Easter Find was these Vintage So Sweet Egg Ornaments. I found 6 of them online and got them for a steal, but they are just soooo Cute I could not pass them up. They are real eggs that were cut in half, painted on the back and inside and then made into a Lovely work of art. They have all kinds of trims and millinery and paper cut outs and seashells and on and on and on. I am going to try and figure out how to do this for next Easter to sell on my website. Just not sure how to cut the egg open without cracking the shell to pieces.

I Was Tagged! LOL :)

Well, I guess since I was tagged by Nancy of La Chambre Rose, that means I need to post 7 things about myself that others would not know. Although I feel that is a funny concept since I usually tell everyone I know everything there is about to know. I am like and open book and I love to talk. LOL I love to share my life and because for one, your experiences are why and who you are today, believe it or not. Also because I have had so much adversity, trials and tribulations in my life and my Love for helping others, I feel that if I can share my stories and they help others, then my life's mission has been fulfilled. So, without further ado, I will try to come up with 7 things you all might not know about me. LOL

1. I am a Leo, but bordering on the cusp of Cancer makes me a Leader and a Follower.

2. I have to admit that when it comes to crafty items and fabric, I buy way more than I could ever use in my lifetime and I can't stand to throw any of it out or give it away. I just know that one day I will need it. LOL

3. My husband and I have been together for over 7 years and we have never had an argument or fight. Believe it or not! I wish that everyone in the world could be as truly happy as we are.

4. I have been in the process of redecorating my kitchen and living room for over a year now. LOL I am always so busy making things and decorating for others that I never have time to work on my own things. LOL And because I love to do for others, that is where I find my truest joy in life, I always put my things on the back burner and I'm fine with that. :)

5. I love to read, but I just never have time! I love Steven King and Odd Thomas/Forever Odd by Dean Koontz. If you haven't read those books, you have to. I couldn't put them down. I also used to read V.C. Andrews when I was younger. I also like Patricia Cornwell. I like to read books that make you think about what is going on.

6. I love puzzle games. I love using my mind and actually having to think about things. I love Sudoku, I have many books and an electronic game.

7. Seventh thing, finally. What to write....what to write. Hmmm. I am very detail oriented. When I make a pillow, it will usually take me days not hours to complete. I will tear it apart and resew it if there is even one stitch out of place. I am like that when it comes to things I care about. When I cook, I always plate everyone's food and make it look pretty like they do in the fancy restaurants. I have made my children cakes for their birthdays that took me all day if not two days to make and ice and decorate. My husband always asks me why I do this. I say it is because of the love of what I do and for the love I have for those around me. I love to show others that I appreciate them and put a smile on their face. That is where my truest joy in life comes from. So to me it's nothing to show them that I care and I love them.


Ok, so here are the 7 things about me. Now I have to go and tag others. Hmmm. Who to tag. LOL Ok, I think I have it.

Natasha Burns- Because she is always true and is the sweetest and cutest lady that you could ever meet. Oh, and she's very talented and I'm definitely honored to be considered one of her friends.

Wendy of Berry Lane is also a Sweetie and has Gorgeous things.

And I can't forget my Spring Swap Partner Tiff of Ric Rac Sally. One of the most giving ladies I know. She is such a Doll.

Debbie of Starry Night Impressions. Another one of my fav ladies.

This is who I have so far. I will think of more and post them later on!


If you are tagged by me then you need to ad this to your blog and do the same as I did.

If you have been tagged, here is what is requested:

1. Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.



Jewel ;o)

What I got for the ECS Spring Swap!

I promised you a peek at what I received from Tiff at Ric Rac Sally for the Etsy Cottage Style's Spring Swap, and here it is! She heard me say over and over again that I LOVE Pink and Aqua. Those are my two most favoritest colors in the whole wide world and they look Lovely together. Well, guess what? She sent me tons of Pink and Aqua stuff! I just LOVE it! Do you see the little Pitcher? Isn't it just adorable? And the tags are *2*Die*4*. I love the Flower Brooch from vintage fabric and lace doily. She even sent me some scraps to use on my own projects. The only problem is that when I get pretty stuff like that I don't ever want to use it because it's so pretty I just want to look at it. LOL Maybe I'll make a collage with some pretties I have that won't be permanent so that I won't ruin anything. :) Thank you so much Tiff....You are the best!

Gift tags, Vintage Scraps, Vintage Tea Towel with Southern Belle, Clothespin magnet for my frig, Adorable Plaque with Vintage images.

Look at all of those Goodies! I just love them All! It was like Christmas Opening up my package and the presents just kept coming! :)

Look at the adorable Pitcher in my Fav Aqua with Adorable Pink Roses, Perfection to say the least. Check out the Brooch too. It's so Sweet! I remember making those when I was a kid, brings back memories. She even sent me a bag of candies. Isn't that always a way to a woman's heart? LOL