For the Children

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my children and all children:

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa and go fishing with them.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

A Stranger In Need

OK, I realize everyone is super busy w/family & work these days! I also know we are bombarded with requests for our time & money. I definitely don't mean to add to that but thhis story really touched me. It's a true story and really quite heart wrenching. You can watch the news story here. You can check out the family's blog here.

I know many tragic events/incidents have take place the last several months and that many people are hurting and suffering everywhere.... Just do what you can. I donated an item this morning and plan to donate more. 100% of the $ goes straight to paying for her family needs & her skyrocketing medical costs which may top $2 million! I couldn't stop thinking about her after reading her story. With so many wonderful & thoughtful women out there, I thought that perhaps you may want to help too after reading her story. This is the lovely lady who started the auction and who to contact if you'd like to contribute, she can be reached here: ericathur4@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Melissa

Get Your Head IN the Clouds

A cool (free) site to make a 'word cloud'- referred by a fellow lollishops member, Kim. You can see her YUMMY faux cakes and tasty treats here. Here's mine:

Click here for your free cloud!

If You Are EVER In A Bad Mood....

Theres a lot of bad stuff going on in the news. Times are tough these days. This little video wont fix your problems but it is absolutely impossible to be in a bad mood after watching this- I challenge you NOT to laugh out loud or at least smile- a lot! ENJOY!

Novelty Holiday Baubles- HALF OFF, TOO!

I have had bracelets around here for the longest time...this year due to so many factors I wont be able to do my usual local craft shows so I am offering them online for the first time in years. In an effort to make more room in my studio- I am offering them on etsy for HALF of what I sell them for at the shows. Check out these cutesy little handmade (no, not by me!) glass lampwork pumpkins, candy corns and turkeys for fall....gobble, gobble them up. I no longer have these beads to work with- the lady who makes them has retired :(





I couldn't resist putting up some Christmas bracelets too...they make adorable teacher's gifts! See what you think!

This one has vintage crystals in between....ooh la la!

You can find them here. More coming soon...
Thanks for popping in!
Melissa

Lollishops, Lollishops Oh Lolli Lolli Lolli Lollishops!

Come check out a new venue to sell your loot. You can check it out here . It is in the very beginning stages and is just a wonderful opportunity. A little shout out to all my new lollishop friends...leave me a comment to let me know you visited!

When you are done there, come visit a whimsical fairyland here

And how cute is this retro hair comb?!

Tasty (and affordable) brass necklace here Dontcha just love shopping!!?

Some Artist's Work I Really Appreciate

Another edition of me being bored on the couch and using this time to behold the artistic talents of others. I have come to the conclusion that I am the biggest fan of
1. things that have been repurposed (used for something they werent originally intended for) its so creative!
2. vintage (but of course)
3. unique & artsy creations with an emphasis on quality- you can really tell when someone pours their soul into their work. It just shows! For that reason....
I am really a big believer of letting people know how much you like their stuff. I email everyone to tell them. Some write back, some dont. As long as they have been told I think its nice. Thats all :)

OK Onto my finds du jour:
I just love ALL of this artist's work!


Could this be any MORE glorious?

I am in love with these! And they smell good too!?!

Sassy Susan designs all of these scrumptious shabby vintage fabrics and has them made in Japan- the quality is impeccable.

Cute upcycled clothing!

I dont know how she does it but those images on vintage paper make me swoon!

Absolutely beautiful greetings...so original and perfect in every way.

Soldered Bliss from Sally Jean

A classic in my book collection- love this book and all it has to offer

Divine Bauble

Is it OK to love this - even though I made it?! HA! Recycled vintage buttons galore.

OK- More later...take a second to let me know what you think of these picks...any suggestions?

AND for all of you PINK lovers- I just added a new product you are sure to go nuts for:
PINK HOT CHOCOLATE!

You can find it here! Thanks for stopping in!

Some Favorites for Fall

As I sit here unable to create I am taking time to see what others have created. I was making a sort of wish list...here are some of my favorite things I happened across...I Would LOVE:

a dress like this

a sexy fall salsa shrug

'fake cakes' so I can fit into that cute lil dress!

Some kitschy fingerless gloves to go apple picking in

pretty ephemera images to dream alongside

what CANT you do with this!?!?

Some vintage bling like this

OH and a pretty ruffled tea cup

and some pretty hand painted ribbon like this...yummy

... and a girl can never have enough pink... or vintage....or charms...

and I hope it all fits into this beauty!

More tomorrow- I am having so much fun!

Spread the Love

This week I am laying around on the couch with nothing but a laptop and an issue of Somerset Life - the worlds BEST magazine. I am recovering from a hysterectomy. I am only 36 but decided to go this route after years of suffering menopause like symptoms (is it HOT in here!?!?) and other not-so-fun issues. I found a cool support group called Hyster Sisters which was helpful in easing my mind prior to the operation. I went in Thursday and was home Friday-they dont let any grass grow under your feet in the hospital these days-JEESH! :) It wasnt as bad as I thought though I dont know that I would recommend it as a way to spend a weekend!
While I have been sitting here I have had the time to go thru some websites I found in the magazine and thought I would share them with you all! I was happy to have had time to find some really cool artists and their websites that I might otherwise may have never found. I really loved these... The most darling paper shoes here. Bring your appetite- so tasty!
I encourage everyone to take a minute to share your impressions of the beauty around you. Often times I think we 'borrow inspiration' from people and they never know they had a hand in lighting our inspired fire. Take a minute to drop a note to someone who has tickled your fancy and let them know they have inspired you to create something beautiful! Nothing brings a smile to an artist more than knowing someone who has appreciated their work took the time to write a quick note about it. Spread the love!
If you have gotten this far, many thanks for reading my thoughts. Take a moment to say hello and share your thoughts. Stop back often! I am somewhat new to this blogging thing and would love any thoughts or tips.
~Blessings~
Melissa

Adored Before Flash Cards in the Spotlight

I am so excited to announce that I created a set of my flash cards for Angela Shelton's new web show Stirring Up Trouble. The show is sort of Betty Crocker Meets Sex in the City. Old ideas with a modern (and fun) twist. You can view the 9 minute webisode free and again & again (which includes a divine $10 recipe for organic chicken that will last for DAYS)here.

The flash cards are being featured during the show and are available for purchase HERE!

Angela is an amazing actress, screenwriter, comedienne and is oh so funny. She is also a childhood sexual abuse survivor and is the author of a documentary seen on Oprah called Searching for Angela Shelton, you can see more of ithere.

Make time to check out the show and 'about Angela' she is someone we could all learn from. Overcoming obstacles? HA! No problem-o!
xoxo
Melissa

A Treasuretrove of Vintage Patterns

Just hit the motherload of fantabulous vintage sewing patterns! These are all original and all wonderful! You can find them here. Check some of these babies out:

I would love to see what one of your creative souls could do with these patterns!