1. I sell handmade items like hundreds of other crafters at Etsy. Please support us!
2. Handmade items are easily customized for the buyer or as a gift for someone special.
3. You very well may be supporting someone’s livelihood or a needed second income.
4. You may be helping someone out who may not otherwise be able to work.
5. Other reasons: Buy Handmade.org

You may have your own reasons to buy handmade. Maybe you want something special for yourself that you can’t find unless you go to an artisan for a handmade item. Maybe you just want the knowledge that you have something that was handmade just for you. Maybe you just want to buy something that wasn’t mass produced by under-paid workers.

Whatever your reason, choose to buy handmade products.

I should have posted this yesterday, but I didn’t do any blogging at all, so it’s getting done today.

Happy Birthday to the best man in the world, my hubby Del!

Just to fit in with Foodie Friday, here’s the cake I did for him. The characters are from HeroScapes and the pan used is a stadium pan we found on sale after The Super Bowl. The castle towers? Kid size ice cream cones stacked and covered with frosting! I did learn a valuable lesson in decorating this particular cake: due to the details of the pan, I should remember to use buttercream frosting and pipe it one rather than trying to use store bought icing and spread it! I ended up asking Del to put some icing in a sandwich bag for piping purposes to cover the high spots on the cake!

Check out my interview with Corinne at Daydream Art Studios. Featured May 24

In the market for a snazzy set of knitting or crochet stitch markers?

Or maybe you’d like a new bracelet, necklace or pair of earrings.

And don’t forget to check out my five- and single-decade rosaries.

I even have pouches for those special stitch markers and rosaries for storage.

Greeting cards for special occasions available most of the year; I’m currently gearing up for Christmas card sales.

ACEO–Art Cards, Editions and Originals–a.k.a. ATC–Artist’s Trading Cards–also available. 2.5″x3.5″ mini works of art to frame, collect, or trade. Be on the lookout for ACEO greeting cards!

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Click the “Custom Order” link on the side and I’ll create a special piece just for you!

For reusable shopping bags and special totes…what about a Cat’s Cradle original bag?

Don’t forget the dishes! Dish “rag” sets available in bright cheery colors or in regular “boring” colors…your choice!

Come on over to Cat’s Cradle Creations and have a look around!

I accept PayPal and RME payments.

Happy birthday to Cassie! She’s one year old today and just as cute as the day we brought her home.

 

Left: Cassie at 9 weeks old on June 4, 2007 Right: Cassie at 1 year old on March 23, 2008

This is the birthday package I received from Therese, my swap partner, in the Birthday Swap 2008 on Ravelry.

Contents: crocheted poncho, knitted scarf, crocheted cup cozy, knitted hat and arm warmers, three bags of Tazo tea, two skeins of Lion Brand Suede, one hank of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Natural White (dye pot, here I come!), a Lacis rosewood crochet hook (size M) and “Country Keepsakes” plastic canvas book.

Thanks, Therese!

In 1977:

Jimmy Carter becomes president of the US Most of the 10,000 Vietnam War draft evaders are pardoned by President Carter Singer Anita Bryant starts her “Save Our Children” crusade against gay rights Elvis Presley dies in his Graceland bathroom Congress creates a Department of Energy Anwar Sadat flies to Jerusalem in a dramatic gesture of willingness to discuss peace Orlando Bloom, Shakira, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liv Tyler, and Ludacris are born New York Yankees win the World Series Oakland Raiders win Superbowl XI Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup Swedish music group ABBA passes The Beatles as having most records sold Star Wars is the top grossing film The Shining by Stephen King is published “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone spends the most time at the top of the US charts Three’s Company premieres

Hard to believe it’s been 31 years….Happy Birthday to me!

P.S. Why didn’t anyone tell me you couldn’t see the damn font?!

William has started writing a story that is published once a week on Saturdays. He got the idea that maybe Santa’s elves are tired of working for him and decide to go on a rampage. Follow Will and Zach’s adventures while they try to save Santa from the Killer Elves.

Comments are welcome, but they are moderated by me. Button:

Keep in mind as you read Killer Elves that this is written by an 11 y/o. I only edited for spelling and glaring grammatical errors.