Creative Juice

While visiting my mom we've been watching a show on th DIY network called Creative Juice. It's one of those crafty shows that I want to hate, but just can't. Yes it's campy and the hosts can be a little corny, but that is all part of it's charm.

Today, Mom and I made bling rings. You know the rings that have loops on the top and you attach all sorts of beads and charms... I never made them before b/c i thought that I wouldn't like to weat them. WRONG! So fun and very cute, and we learned from our good friend Cathie Filian at Creative Juice.

Curious about Cathie, I googled her. She has a fun blog here at blogger: http://cathiefilian.blogspot.com/ and she is a fellow Etsian: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5105005

Cathie, if you're out there and come across this blog, you have 2 new fans!

Your Virtual BFF!

Beach Mama

Ecoist

Okay,

Today I want to talk about recycling and more importantly, up-cycling. What is up-cycling? Well, look around you. I’m sure you have some things around your house that can be reused as some thing beautiful and new. While in the Dulles airport at Washington D.C. I came across a most remarkable item. Of course I bought one…

Isn’t it beautiful?! 100% recycled and a tree has been planted in my purchasing of this lovely person. And, my crafty brain is already picking apart this lovely pocketbook and reconstructing it for my own purposes. Once I figure this out I’ll be sure to add DIY instructions.

In the meantime, check out ecoist.com. You’ll be glad you did.

Now I’m off to bed. Sorry it’s a short blog tonight. Tomorrow we are going to Carowinds. Should be a fun day!

C
Ci
Ciao!

Appalachia, All Good Things and Amazing Vintage Finds

So I'm back from my grandmother's country home in Pennsylvania. I love it there. It still feels like spring in southwestern PA, so it was a fun, chill visit.

The Little Mermaid and the Little Dude had a great time. Especially since TLM found a friend her exact age. They were instant sisters. I love going there, even though I'm a beachbum at heart, the mountains are in my blood. Too much history there to ignore. It's strange but I definately get a sense of peace and calm as soon as I drive into West Virginia and especially once I cross into PA. I HAVE to put on my John Denver and serenade the kiddies as we drive through.

I took lots of pics and once I download them I'll share through my Flickr account. I'm hoping that some turned out well enough to sell on my etsy site.

I found some AMAZING vintage finds at the 'boutiques' too... They are listed on www.goodearthpaperie.etsy.com. Here is a little preview...

But now it is back to reality. Little Mermaid is downstairs playing with her long lost toys and the Little Dude is sitting next to me trying on a construction helmet. It's time to get to work on some fun new projects! I'm opening another Etsy Store: AllGoodThings... Nothing listed yet, but I think I'm going to use it showcase my 20+ years of sewing experience. I felt it necessary to start new shop, b/c the beachmama shop is eclectic enough and I don't want to confuse my 'green' store goodearthpaperie by adding sewn art. Plus it seems that most of the stores I come across on Etsy are dominated by one craft/art/theme. I'll post and let you know how it goes...

Which reminds me...

I'm getting ready for a new craft video! If there is anything you'd like to see, please let me know and I'll make one! I think I'm going to name my video series... Sew Suzy, So Me! But it's not exclusively sewing. ARGH! I'm still working on it. ideas are more than welcome!

Later Gators!

Skinny Bitch and Kashi

Well, I've done it. I've taken the PLUNGE!
I
am now
vegan.

I've been a veg for a week and a half now. And despite an upset stomach last night, I've never felt better.

For all you who are thinking, VEGAN? WHAT THE HECK IS A VEGAN?!

A vegan commonly refers to a person who does not eat any animal by products of any kind. Period. No milk, no cheese, no meat.

WHY IN ALL THAT IS GOOD AND HOLY WOULD SOMEONE DO THIS???!

Well, quite frankly, this has been a long time coming for me. I've never been a big meat eater in the first place. And over the last year or so I've come across some pretty startling research. Don't worry I'm not going to try to convert you. This is my journey, you can look up the info for yourself if you feel so led. I will just say this, buy organic and if possible, from a local butcher who does the dirty work himself. AND FOR THE LOVE OF BESSIE, AVOID FACTORY FARM PRODUCTS LIKE THE PLAGUE!

Ok, so now you know this, you should also know that I'm human. Not perfect. And I didn't sign my meat eating rights away and join some strange religion or cult. So if you see me eating sushi, or animal products, don't hate. This is a process. But I've been vegan for almost 2 weeks and honestly don't feel like I'm missing anything or craving non-vegan stuff. I'll keep you abreast of my food discoveries.

EBAY IS A PAIN!

For those of you who found my blog via ebay. I will no longer be selling on Ebay. It should be known as FEE-bay. Talk about double dipping!

Let's charge you for listing something. Then, we'll charge you for "extra" stuff in your listings. And hey, wait a minute, your listing actually SOLD? Well, we want a piece of that too. Whoa Nellie! You used PayPal... We own that and we'll gladly take a nice chunk of that. What's that you say? They paid with a direct transfer from their PayPal account to yours? No, that USED to be free. But we got wise to that, yes, well, we're taking an extra piece of that pie too.

If you know me, then you know I rebel. I can't help it. Blame my parents. They raised strong women who won't be caged in. So let me enlighten you to wonders of ETSY!

Since watching the AMAZING documentary called The Corporation, I've rebelled against corporate america. I try to buy things that are crafted by people. For example, My son's shoes are hand made in Minnesota by Bambino's. A stay at home mom who makes the most beautiful shoes EVER.

See. I TOLD you. Don't you wish your little bambino had turtle toes too?

Etsy is wonderful. You pay 20 cents to list and sell an item. Period. No funny business. No catch.

I will still be using PayPal. It's just too darn easy and universally accessible.

Ok, now on to my FAVOURITE THINGS and BeachMama's latest happenings...


Fav thing #1
Kashi Heart to Heart Cereal.
Yum crunch and wild blueberries. Need i say more?!?!

Fav thing #2
MY ELECTRIC BLANKET
I am a cold weather wimp. I admit it. I loathe winter weather. My dear husband, Moon Doggie, in his infinite wisdom got me an electric blanket for Christmas. Oh how i love to snuggle up in bed with the blanket on HIGH!


Fav thing #3
THE MOVIE: ONCE
If you love british movies, and even if you don't, you'll love this one. The write up on the box makes it seem like a Music & Lyrics movie, (which I also love) but this is NOTHING like Music and Lyrics. trust me. Watch this movie and you'll be hooked. The music is awesome.


Now to answer some of your questions from my fan mail!!!


1. What is the last book you read?
Technically, it was Junie B Jones and Meanie Jim's Birthday.
But MY last book was Skinny Bitch and Jerome Bettis' biograhy "The Bus: My Life in and Out of the Helmet"


2. What was the last movie you saw?
I can't remember the last movie I saw in a theatre. But we watched Balls of Fury last night. Not my fav movie. The night before we watched Operation Dumbo Drop. Pretty good.


3. What song are you listening to a lot these days?
Hmmmm.... I guess technically it is John Denver's Annie's Song. I'm singing it at my sister's wedding next weekend, and I've been practicing b/c my voice has been really scratchy and messed up for like a month. I just hope I don't croak it out and ruin the ceremony.

Ok ciao for now my little conch shell lovlies!