No, it's not a mixed up version of Carmen San Diego, or the Facebook app, it's why haven't I posted on my blog, taken care of it, nurtured it, displayed better blogmanship. Well, when the carp hits the fan, the fan breaks, needs repairs and of course extensive help to make it all better. I've been on a journey of sorts, somewhat unpleasant, but occasionally worthwhile, and as always there was something to be learned.
My life has changed and will not be the same, but I am still me, and I will go on. So, here is to new times, new places, new faces, and better tomorrow.
Until next time!
Ciao!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A Mission to Mexico
I have been fortunate to find a wonderful group of people on Etsy in the HOST Team (Helping Others Street Team). There are so many giving, thoughtful, spirited, kind, generous, and amazing artists on this team of people who have gathered together to raise money to help Etsy artists in need. This team not only helps people financially, there are a miriad of resources that have been researched and gathered to give out to those who might not know about them, so that they can help themselves. In this group I have found several people whom I call friend, and others I am getting to know better. One of my friends is featured below.
My friend Mishy is trying to raise funds to go on a volunteer trip to Mexico to work in an Orphanage. Here is a link to her blog post explaining it in detail. She has had some unfortunate and sad events in her own life of late and could use some help of her own as well. She has helped me in my etsy shops with banners, avatars, and ideas that have brought great successes for me. She has asked for nothing in return. Here is a link to her fabulous shop, Fire and Ice Designs, on Etsy. She is an artist who works with glass and turns it, along with various stones, into gorgeous jewelry. Please take a moment to check out her shop, you won't regret it!
On a more sad note, one of my very good friends in my home town who has been and inspiration, a rock to cling to in times of trouble, and has helped me adjust to my own life changes, is having surgery today for colon cancer. I am asking for any and all types of prayers, good thoughts, lighting of candles, crossing of fingers, and/or any other good wishes and positive energies for her on this day that her surgery go well, that her cancer be in a curable stage, and that she will heal quickly. Thank you!
That's all my locked up slow moving fingers can type out at this hour ;) so, until next time...
Ciao,
Tonya
My friend Mishy is trying to raise funds to go on a volunteer trip to Mexico to work in an Orphanage. Here is a link to her blog post explaining it in detail. She has had some unfortunate and sad events in her own life of late and could use some help of her own as well. She has helped me in my etsy shops with banners, avatars, and ideas that have brought great successes for me. She has asked for nothing in return. Here is a link to her fabulous shop, Fire and Ice Designs, on Etsy. She is an artist who works with glass and turns it, along with various stones, into gorgeous jewelry. Please take a moment to check out her shop, you won't regret it!
On a more sad note, one of my very good friends in my home town who has been and inspiration, a rock to cling to in times of trouble, and has helped me adjust to my own life changes, is having surgery today for colon cancer. I am asking for any and all types of prayers, good thoughts, lighting of candles, crossing of fingers, and/or any other good wishes and positive energies for her on this day that her surgery go well, that her cancer be in a curable stage, and that she will heal quickly. Thank you!
That's all my locked up slow moving fingers can type out at this hour ;) so, until next time...
Ciao,
Tonya
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Heart Awareness Sponsored by HOST on Etsy
The HOST Team (Helping Others Street Team) on Etsy is holding an Etsy-wide contest to make an item heart related and donate the proceeds to The American Heart Association. The information on this challenge/contest is located here: Heart to Heart Thread
Please check it out, whether you decide to participate in the contest or just check out the items made for the donation to the AHA, doesn't matter.
Have a heart healthy day!
Tonya (Ellesbelle.etsy.com)
Please check it out, whether you decide to participate in the contest or just check out the items made for the donation to the AHA, doesn't matter.
Have a heart healthy day!
Tonya (Ellesbelle.etsy.com)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Been gone too long...
I've been a bad blogger. I've been blog-less, blog-impaired, blog-uninspired, for far too long now. It has been a crazy world here on the home front. The basement is begining to be rebuilt. It is now empty and has had concrete moisture sealant applied in 2 coats and is now ready for rebuilding. Tonight through Sunday my husband and his friend will be beginning the wall rebuilding process and that is VERY exciting! I don't know how long it will take, but it does look like I will have have a craft/family room sometime in the near future! That will help me make some handmade items that I haven't been able to for quite awhile as my sewing room was overcrowded even before the flood! Here are some pictures of some items I have made in the past...
Crazy Cat Quilt few yrs ago
Close up of one square
Some purses and totes I made for my daughter and a friend
These are just a few items I found in the picture archives from a few years ago. I also have several crochet items and a few knit items I have made. I just started beading in the last year or so and am working on getting better at that.
I have also made numerous outfits for my dad's Chihuahua in the last couple of years because the poor little guy is so cold in the winter and transition months.
I really want to sew again even though it will be a slow process.
Well, off to rest for awhile...
Tonya
Crazy Cat Quilt few yrs ago
Close up of one square
Wristlet made for daughter
'Flip flop' for daughter, 2 ft long
I made 4 different types of aprons for gifts a few years ago at Christmas time, but didn't take pics.Some purses and totes I made for my daughter and a friend
Tote bag for daughter
These are just a few items I found in the picture archives from a few years ago. I also have several crochet items and a few knit items I have made. I just started beading in the last year or so and am working on getting better at that.
I have also made numerous outfits for my dad's Chihuahua in the last couple of years because the poor little guy is so cold in the winter and transition months.
I really want to sew again even though it will be a slow process.
Well, off to rest for awhile...
Tonya
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Going Back - Basement Water Damage
Good Morning everyone! I really don't like going backward, but I really wanted to share a few of the pictures of our basement that I finally uploaded onto my computer and update the status of the situation.
We have had everyone out to see the basement that needs to and the verdict is that we can save all but the lower 2 feet of most walls (all the studs are ok throughout the basement) and some walls will have to be redone completely. The insurance company finally came out after a week of, to put it politely, 'negotiating', verdict is they will not pay as they do not consider it a covered loss. So, we are out all of the money for the cleanup and repairs and replacement of ruined items.
Without further ado, here are a very small selection of our 'flood' from day after discovery to
Daughter's room, damage torn out, carpet removed, fans in place to start drying out. This corner was one of the water entry points.
Close up of paneling damage, between 1-3 inches.
Husband's office walls removed, pergo like floor removed. Corner on right (out of pic) is another water entry point.
My poor sad piano moved into storage room, still haven't determined damage to it yet. Carpet removed from family room, tack strips remaining.
Another shot at family room, different angle, shows removed carpet and the original icky laminate tiles below.
We have had everyone out to see the basement that needs to and the verdict is that we can save all but the lower 2 feet of most walls (all the studs are ok throughout the basement) and some walls will have to be redone completely. The insurance company finally came out after a week of, to put it politely, 'negotiating', verdict is they will not pay as they do not consider it a covered loss. So, we are out all of the money for the cleanup and repairs and replacement of ruined items.
Without further ado, here are a very small selection of our 'flood' from day after discovery to
finished tearing out bottom of walls.
Family Rm, tearing out the paneling from the short foundation wall
Family Rm, tearing out the paneling from the short foundation wall
Daughter's room, damage torn out, carpet removed, fans in place to start drying out. This corner was one of the water entry points.
Close up of paneling damage, between 1-3 inches.
Husband's office walls removed, pergo like floor removed. Corner on right (out of pic) is another water entry point.
My poor sad piano moved into storage room, still haven't determined damage to it yet. Carpet removed from family room, tack strips remaining.
Another shot at family room, different angle, shows removed carpet and the original icky laminate tiles below. Now we will begin rebuilding one room, one wall, at a time as money permits. Forgot pics of bathroom, had to remove sink cabinet and 2 layers of vinyl flooring to get down to the original icky tiles! Toilet was broken in the process, so husband got a toilet for his birthday! He was actually pretty excited :)
Until next time...best wishes,
Tonya
Until next time...best wishes,
Tonya
Monday, January 12, 2009
I'm back - New Listings and Huge Sale!
Well, I'm back from my small hiatus. Just to update on our New Years issue - the basement will have to be stripped and rebuilt-out to be a habitable area. The insurance will not pay for any of it. It's not a covered event, not even a coverage we could have purchased if we had wanted to. So, now to better topics....I'm working hard on being positive and trying to earn extra money through Etsy to fix up our basement. Here are some of my most recent listings, all vintage buttons:
Mention this blog in the notes to sellers portion of purchase and your shipping within the US is free, shipping outside the US will be discounted by the US shipping amount. Buy 2 items save 10% and receive free US shipping, buy 3 items get 1 free (equal or lower price) and free US shipping. Remember, mention you saw it on this blog to get the sale prices. Sale ends Jan. 31, 2009.
That's all for today!
Best wishes,
Tonya
Mention this blog in the notes to sellers portion of purchase and your shipping within the US is free, shipping outside the US will be discounted by the US shipping amount. Buy 2 items save 10% and receive free US shipping, buy 3 items get 1 free (equal or lower price) and free US shipping. Remember, mention you saw it on this blog to get the sale prices. Sale ends Jan. 31, 2009.
That's all for today!
Best wishes,
Tonya
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Absentee Blogger
Sorry I' ve been absent. Been dealing with my basement flood. Now that we finally have the carpet torn out, the walls opened, up 2' above the floor is all open, we find out it may rain up to 3 inches tonight! So husband is out buying a sump pump and dad is getting sandbags to block off our faulty back door drain and we have diverted our gutter downspouts, so hopefully we won't have any more flooding. We don't have flood insurance since we are not in a flood plain and we are in an are that doesn't normally have any flooding problems.
Anyway, I will likely be absent for several more days while we figure out how to make another bedroom upstairs for my daughter and all that other fun stuff!
Take care, and stay safe!
Tonya
Anyway, I will likely be absent for several more days while we figure out how to make another bedroom upstairs for my daughter and all that other fun stuff!
Take care, and stay safe!
Tonya
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