The strength of humility

Hello all. I would love to stay and talk today, but since my shop seems to be selling out of eco-friendly coffee cuffs like crazy, it is my goal today to make at least 5 (and bake my poor husband those cookies he's been waiting a week for!). I just wanted to share something with you that really touched my heart today.

Our team, as you know, is holding monthly challenges and giveaways and our wonderful blogger-turned-cheerleader, Cherie, has decided to feature our contestants on her personal blog. Although her items are also entered into the challenge, she has decided to take the high road and graciously promote her peers and competitors. It takes more strength to be humble than to fight for the win and her words of encouragement meant a lot to me, not only as a competitor myself but also as a friend and teammate. I hope, because she chose humility for the good of the team, that it brings her success as well. Please take a look at her blog post and learn about the team, and when you're done with that you can vote in our challenge.

Spring everywhere!

Spring is officially here. Mud puddles everywhere from the torrential downpour outside, patio furniture on sale (bought a 7 piece set AND a hammock this week!), and the Eastern Washington Etsy team has our Spring Challenge up. Check out our blog (www.ewateam.blogspot.com) to vote for you favorite item (hint: my journal is #4... j/k vote for any one of our super talented people!). If you cast your vote and leave a comment you could win the item that receives the most votes! Voting ends Friday, March 27th at 5pm PST so what are you waiting for? Go do it before its too late!

Reaching 100

I noticed this afternoon that my Etsy shop is close to 100 sales, so I've decided to celebrate by offering the buyer of my 100th item sold on Etsy a freebie. I am keeping it a surprise to make it more fun, but I promise it will be a good one! If you've had your eye on something for a while, now would be a good time to snatch it up!
www.ragnazidnar.etsy.com
Leterpress Counting Poster by sweetbeets


**UPDATE** So sorry to everyone hoping to be number 100- I logged on this afternoon to a very hefty order placed by the wonderful miss Rachel of rachel323. She will be the winner of the 100 sales prize and I'll catch y'all at the next 100. :)

It isn't easy being green...

I'm feeling rather un-festive (is that even a word!?) today. I never have really gotten in to St. Patty's day anyway, despite green being my favorite color and pinching people a secret guilty pleasure of mine. And, while I am sitting in my springy green loft on my green laptop sipping away at my "Green Goddess" wheatgrass shake I still can't shake these ho-hums.

So, what's the matter? I suppose it just feels no different than any other day to me. I see a lot of enthusiasm everywhere on the web for shamrocks, green, rainbows, and even a nice big pint of Guiness- Not my thing. Even tonight while my husband happily munches away on his corned beef I'll surely be eating a veggie casarole of some kind and completely happy with it. I feel that I should be baking green cookies and building leprechaun traps, but I feel more like the St. Patty's Day Grinch - unenthused but so big and green that nobody dares pinch me to get me in the spirit. (Haha, ok. Maybe that last bit way a bit dramatic.)

I came to the realization that all the "good" holidays have one of a few things: family, presents, or candy. (Food too, I supposed, but being a vegetarian I usually get the short end of the carrot stick during holiday meals in my family!) I am remedying this right now by buying a couple St. Patty's gifts for myself and my family. If you need a little shove in the festive direction, here are some other great Etsy picks to get you in the mood.

Spring Fever

It feels like so long since I've been away from my blog. But I am coming back to you refreshed and with a touch of Spring fever. Although the weather in my neck of the woods has ranged from everything from rain, snow, sleet, and sideways hail these past couple of weeks that little green bud that is the beginning of Spring fever is beginning to grow.

This all started last week when, much to my delight, I found a dozen Crocus' growing around my recycling bin. To be honest, I wasn't sure at the time what they were but a quick call over to my greener-than-green-thumb mother revealed that those little white blooms were the beginning of a lovely springtime garden.

Feeling optimistic, I started the Spring cleaning as well. (Not all because of the Crocus', mind you, I did have a home appraisal to ready myself for.) The loft which will serve as my office and studio is 90% done and painted in the most appropriate shade of springy green. To see images of my house, jump on over to my flickr set. And, while I was cleaning I came up with the most eco-friendly way I could think of for that little pest problem near our windows with no screens. I hopped on over to My Carnivore and bought myself two lovely pitcher plants that are happily eating all the bugs as I type. Good plant.

So, to continue with the cheerful Spring attitude, regardless of the winter storm warning heading our way, I will busy myself today with some embroidery. I remember as a child clumsily stitching over the pencil lines my mother drew for me on scrap fabrics and I've picked it up again quite recently. Here is the latest in my coffee sleeves, proving how much I've enjoyed this re-learning process.












AND, if you're really in the springy mood, pop on over to the Eastern Washington Etsy Team's Blog on Friday, March 20th- the official first day of Spring- and vote in our first ever team challenge. Voting starts at 5 pm PST (8pm EST) and lasts exactly one week. If you do you'll be entered in a chance to win the item with the most votes.

Do You Feel Lucky?

Well, do ya?

No, I've not suddenly lost it and turned into Clint Eastwood, I'm hosting a giveaway on the Handmade Showcase. If you're interesting in a $15 credit to my shop, pop on over to the blog and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. The credit can be used for anything your little heart desires, as long as it's in my shop. I've been told to expect the posting sometime on March 7th or 8th.

I'd like to say that I've been a busy bee working to fill my shop for this wonderful opportunity, but unfortunately I've returned to you after a little hiatus after staying with my grandmother in the hospital. Grams is ok now, recovering nicely, but the experience left us all exhausted- both physically and emotionally. (Not going into details, but let's suffice it to say I woke up in the bathroom the night we got home not sure how long I was in there!) Thanks to everyone for their well-wishes.

I will now be diligently working to create brand new goodies for my shop, so enter your name and cross your fingers- I promise to make it worth your while. Goodbye and good luck!