More Favorite Things

I wanted to share some favorite things this month. Michael's nephew's wife has just launched a new company, specializing in organic, chemical free skin care products. I am currently in love with her pure pit paste. In this brutal Louisiana heat, this product is long lasting and works better than any deodorant I have ever tried.

These are the instructions and ingredients of  the pit paste. Jessica's product line includes various skin scrubs and she has new products coming soon. Please check out her Facebook page - Pure Skin Solutions. Make sure you like her page. She will deliver within the city. These products would make great gifts. I believe in supporting local businesses. 

Another Dollar Tree discovery. I have always used Revlon nail polish. All other polishes have come up short. I bought the polish above on whim and I was totally surprised. It turned out to be highly pigmented and dried very quickly. Great coverage. Just $1.00.

Another Dollar Tree find -  these are microwave poached egg dishes. 2 for $1.00. Put eggs in, salt and pepper and pop in the microwave for 1 minute or less. Perfect poached eggs every time. I hand wash them to make them sure they stay in good condition. 

I have to confess that I have a weakness for office supplies. I mean I love them . These  Clip-Flags are new. The strong clips hold 1-20 sheets. You can write on both sides of the flags. They are reversible, re-usable and removable. Nice addition to my office. 

I love to share with my readers new discoveries and I would love for you to share with me new items you have enjoyed - anything from books to food, and everything in between. Please leave a comment and have a lovely week.

Spanish Moss Creations

I have shared my craft room with you so I thought I would share a few of the things I enjoy crafting. I am not an artist - just a crafter who enjoys the process - the therapeutic process.

I really enjoy making these switch plates with all the gorgeous papers they have out now.

I love making these purse charms from new/vintage  materials and found objects.

Always enjoy altering composition books, books, notebooks, etc.

I make really sweet bookmarks from ephemera that I have collected over the years.

I make zipper pulls.

I make chunky zipper pulls.

I love to embellish paper clips and clothespins.

Decorative safety pins are fun to wear.

I love beading and make hat pins and stick pins.

I will do a separate post of paper crafting such as scrapbooking on another post. Please let me know what you enjoy making. This is a perfect time to craft since it is 100 degrees outside. My craft room is cool and inviting. Have a lovely day.

A Little White Church

I have always loved any little white church..... they call to me in such a loving way and I can always imagine the number of people who loved and prayed in them. 

There is an old bluegrass song that says...."There's a little white church in the valley....

That stands in my memory each day

And it seems I can hear the bells now ringing

Though I am many miles away."

There is nothing wrong with Crystal Cathedrals but my life's landscape has been dotted with little white churches - and they call me home. I also think of the founders of these little white churches and the communities they served. 

I am starting a collection of photos of little white churches which are usually in rural areas. I will share more photos as my collection grows. Let me know how you feel when you see a little white church.

My Craft Room - Paradise

I became hooked on crafting as a little girl at Vacation Bible School. At craft time they presented me with a cigar box, macaroni, glue, and gold paint. I glued that macaroni to the top of that cigar box, and painted it gold. I didn't compare my box to anybody else's - I just fell in love with MY box. I've been crafting in one way or another ever since. When I opened my Etsy shop I created half of a craft room and when we bought our new house there was space for me to have my own crafting room. It is my sanctuary- a little bit of paradise.

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I recently found the vintage material at the top of these curtains and had the pink fabric - I whipped up some fun window coverings.

I purchased that little Crosley turn table and radio which only cost about $70.00. I needed something to play vinyl records and albums.  Great sound.

This is a working craft room - not a decorative area. Storage is always difficult in a small bedroom. I continue to work on new ideas.

I have made many items to decorate the room as well as things I love. I continue to add items. 

I am no seamstress but my little inexpensive Brother sewing machine from Wal-Mart meets all my sewing needs.

I have a small little television in my craft room which just provides background noise when I am not listening to music.

Look what a mess - when I have all of this organized I will publish a new post. 

My little computer on my desk is all I need to run my shop, create my blog, and browse the internet. 

Thanks everyone for reading this blog - let me know where you create - and what you create. Also I would love to hear some of your storage ideas. Have a lovely day...... Tina.

Goodwill Hunting

When people come to my home they ask me .."Where did you get that?" My response more than not is "At the Goodwill." I want to share some tips with my readers about shopping at Goodwill. To open this discussion, let's be honest and say that most of the items in Goodwill are just trash - that is versus junk that is very valuable. I will admit up front I know nothing about thrift store clothes - just never went in that direction. If my readers know about thrift clothing, share in the comment section.

When I retired I was going to craft - however vintage Etsy called me and my shop was launched in 2008. I still craft weekly but also go junking for my shop and Goodwill is always a start.  I have sold at Flea Markets and Consignment stores. I shop garage sales and estate sales. When this first began, I had no discernment and lots of thrift items went right back in the donation bin. However, vintage books are usually available and are great for the collector or for home decor - place a lamp or figurine on a stack of old books.

There are some very good reasons to shop Goodwill - they always have a large selection of baskets. They can be spray painted or left plain but are great for organizational purposes, as well as home decor. Why buy new?

Combing through the books is an adventure I love. I purchase many books for my own library. I have discovered many Christian books that have been inspirational. (Another future blog post) Most paperback books are 99 cents and hardcover books are $1.99.

I buy items for my Etsy shop that are 20 years are older. I have found some incredible pieces at Goodwill for my shop. The above book is a 1975 Hallmark Address Book in mint condition in the original box. Perfect for the shop.

I find great home decor items such as these solid wooden candle holders that I painted blue. Paid $3.99. Great bargain and they were in awesome condition

Goodwill always has a great supply of wooden and metal frames - old frames are perfect to distress or decorate to fit your needs. I keep a great stash of old frames in my craft room. Also seasonal decorations are always in the store - I have found some great seasonal items that were so much cheaper than new.

In conclusion, the next comment from people who visit my home -

 " I go there and I can never find anything." I go thrifting for days and never find one thing to buy - and then EUREKA! I find a jewel. Let me know what you find at the Goodwill. (Another post about some of my more memorable finds)

(I what to encourage everyone to donate to the Goodwill - it is a great organization that gives people a helping hand.)

Dollar Tree Savings

I want to share with my readers the great bargains at Dollar Tree. I am very thrifty and don't believe in spending a lot of money on items that are meant to be short lived. This is the greatest place for holiday decorations and  is great for teacher supplies and gifts. Sometimes you just forget it is there - so I thought I would tell you how I use the Dollar Tree. 

They have great little office supplies and paper items. These magnetic list pads are great for stocking stuffers and to put in gift baskets. I always have one on my fridge. If you know me, you know I have an addiction to office supplies. They have folders, journals, composition books, and pens/pencils.

I use gift tissue when wrapping my Etsy items and buy my supplies from Dollar Tree. Don't forget Dollar Tree for party supplies, gift bags, and wrapping paper, bows, and more. 

The store has a small selection of mailing products as well as tape and other mailing supplies. (I also use these for my Etsy items).

There is a selection of cheap cosmetics but I have discovered some nail polish and great things like nail polish remover, cotton balls, etc. I never go to Dollar Tree without buying several packages of the Make-Up Remover Facial Wipes (they are great and smell wonderful)

Great crafting items - I buy artificial flowers, crafting supplies, candles, glass vases, and wreaths. The 

Dollar Tree has a great selection of bins, baskets, and containers for organizing. They also have brand name cleaning supplies.

Let me know what you buy at Dollar Tree - Comment below so you can share with everyone. I so hope you feel like interacting with me. If you read the blog, PLEASE join ( it should be easy now).

Quick Post

Hey folks! I hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July holiday. Ours was very quiet. Some burgers on the grill and working on wedding stuff with my future daughter-in-law. I hope everyone knows I am still working on this blog and it is no where near completion. I am not very computer literate and it takes me longer than most people. I think the Comments Section and the Join The Site section are now user friendly. If you have tried before, please try to Join the Site again and become a member. The Comment Section is now easily accessible with just your name.

Thanks for reading my post - I have so many ideas to share with my readers. I really need this blog to be interactive and so hope you feel inclined to comment. Until the next post, stay cool during these hot days and let me know what you are doing during these Summer days. 

I Hate Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has been a part of my life for a very long time. My grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles have all dealt with the disease. I have type 2 diabetes, my husband is also a type 2 diabetic ( his mother also a diabetic). My oldest son, 31, was recently diagnosed with a fasting blood sugar of 300. We are all on medication and I am currently attempting to get off insulin. One of the worst part of this disease, which no one can see, is doing without most breads because they are too high in carbs. Most people think it's about sugar (and it is), but those breads elevate blood sugar quickly. However, new products are meeting the needs of people who need reduced carbs. Net carbs are total carbs minus fiber. Even is you are not a diabetic, you may enjoy these products.

Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran and Whole Wheat Pita Bread is awesome - 60 calories and 4 net carbs. Great for your heart and losing weight. Tear a small area and stuff the pita. Wonderful!

Nature's Own Healthy Multi-Grain Sandwich Rounds- 100 calories, 15 net carbs, and 2 sugars. These make flavorful sandwiches.

These are Mission Carb Balance tortillas which are 3 net carbs and each tortilla is 80 calories. Great for wraps of fish or meat.

My family loves Thomas Nooks and Crannies English Muffins. Light, multi-grain muffins that are 100 calories per muffin and 18 net carbs and 1g sugar. We love these with Canadian bacon and cheese heated in the microwave.

Diabetes is a self managing disease and I depend on others who have walked this path to help me with everything from diet to medications, to insulin. Let me know if you know of any products that are low in carbs and sugar that my family can sample. All these products are good for weight loss and heart healthy. I have found all these products at Wal-Mart and Brookshires.

Lagerstroemia

Lagerstroemia, also known as the crepe myrtle blooms all over my little town. You know it is Summer when the crepe myrtles are in full bloom.

They are so colorful ranging from purples to pinks to whites. There are no blues with this species.

The tree has long lasting color and is still colorful when other trees and flowers have no more blooms or are waning.

I feel like I have taken these trees for granted and just opened my eyes and really looked at how beautiful they are.

I love this red - I think the color is known as Cherry Dazzle.

Let me know how you feel about crepe myrtles and tell me what is 

your favorite color.