As I set here this peaceful Sunday afternoon

I am listening to the lovely sound of Christmas music coming from the new Blog Dede of (Brightest Blessings) has created for all the members of Hand Crafters Cottage.
We owe her a great big hug and thank you for her hard work. She and Nancy do so much to help us get our messages and pictures of our crafts out to the web.
These ladies are so special and I certainly appreciate what they do, as I know we all do. So let's all get behind them and this Blog and help it grow.
Bettye

It's been another rainy week-

I think it has rained every day so far. I sure hope we have a nice weekend.

I wanted to request prayers from all my friends- my twin brother has Aneurysms in the groin areas of both his legs. He is to have surgery on Thursday -of next week, for one of them. They want do both at one time- so the other leg will be scheduled for a later date. I am so worried. I was a Nurse in my younger days and I remember enough to know, this can be really serious and the danger it presents while you are waiting for the surgery. I wish it was going to be tomorrow instead of next week - but you know how it works these days, you have to wait for everything.
Just keep him, and me, in your prayers this week. He means the world to me.
I'm not ready to loose another member of my family-to death. I've lost my sister, a niece, and a special brother-in-law in the past 2 years. Just don't know that I can handle to much more.
Nothing much going on here, so this will be short.
Blessings to all of you.
Bettye

Thanks to Dede of Brightest Blessings

we now have a excellent post about the Arts and Crafts Promotion.
here's the link to her posting:
http://brightestblessingsdede.blogspot.com/
I feel so blessed to have this nice person to go to for help- when I need it.
I tried to do a link in my Blog but that one wasn't clickable- hopefully this one will be.
Everyone help us with this promotion and register your links on the thread. It's meant to help everyone. If you have a Facebook account place a announcement there.
To anyone who reads this, have a blessed day.
Bettye

It's rainy here tonoct and I have time on my hands

so I decided to do some work on my Blog.
I don't know what I will ramble on about but I will figure it out as I go along.
We have a great Promotional thread going on Bonanzle at this time. Montrose, a fellow Bona member is doing the promotion. He's great. There's been over 2,700 views last time I checked. He works hard to keep it going and keep us all informed. It will end on Saturday, the 26th.
I haven't sold anything yet, but I hope others have. I'm sure they have.
Here's the link to the posting.
http://www.bonanzle.com/forums/8/topics/74741?page=7
I'd like to ask all artists and crafters who read my Blog to come on over and join in. You can post the link to your booth and get lots of visits and if you're luck, a few sales.
What else can I talk about- Well, I'm kinda excited about a trip to the mountains with my sweet sister, Alice, that we have planned. I think we might be going sometime around the end of the month. If we go I will write about it.
We want to see all the pretty Fall foliage. It's so beautiful up there during that time of the year. We stop at all the Antique Mall we pass on the trip up there and find a few more when we get there. We both love old things. She's likes the "high end" stuff and I like the "junk" -but you can see both in some of the places where we stop.
Can you believe- I spent good money on some mouth pieces that are on old horse harnesses- Now that's "junk" and I bought all I could find. They weren't cheap either. I use things like that on my bird houses- so it was a treasure to me. I have lots of "junk" treasures.
I can't believe it's just 9:45.
Did anyone see Americas got Talent last noct. I was tickled to death when the country guy from Kentucky won that million dollars. I think his name was Jason Skinnerd. He was just so sweet and a country boy through and through. He needed that million dollars and I'm glad he won. I sure was rooting for him. Now he can give his family a better life- if money can buy a better life.
I don't think money is what make a better life myself- as long as I've got enough to live on, with just a little extra-I'm happy. It would probably just be another complication for me if I had it.
When you have a nice home, with a loving family, good friends and plenty to eat, who could ask for more. I have all those things and "life is good".
Bettye

I'm up to my knees in new things-

I sent all the Birdhouses Ike and I crafted from old barn wood last month to my nieces, she is going to take them to a big Crafts Fair at Reelfoot Lake in November and sell them for me. Ike and I had made 20. We are now doing more simpler ones to sell in our 35 mile yard sale held here each year at the end of Sept. We have 4 made for that.
I painted a rural summer scene on a old rust shovel yesterday. It turned out really nice. I plan to drill a hole and attach a real tree branch to look like a real tree and add ceramic leaves to it to give it extra touches of character. I will list it here in the blog when I get it completed.
I'm also doing a twig covered, old window frame. It would look great in a rustic country cabin or on a shed wall in the garden. Could actually be used inside or out. I am putting the twigs on with Ikes staple gun, so they are really secure.
I'm in the middle of laundry right now though-ugh! I hate house work. I want to get into my painting shed to create but sometimes you just "have to do- what you have to do"- know what I mean? Whether you want to or not.
So I better close and get to it.
Nancy, so good to see your friendly face on my blog and to have you as a follower.
You get busy and create one for yourself. I know you can do it if I can. Just follow the steps. Let me know when you get it up and running. Good luck.
Be productive- and be happy!
Life is good.
Bettye

I've been busy making unique Birdhouses

for the past few days with help from my sweet husband. I don't know what I did to deserve such a special person in my life.
We are making these Birdhouse unique by adding old collected items to them, such as Old rusty hoe, old rusty shovel, old aluminum funnels (2 of those- different styles) old horse harnesses and bridles, old ceramic electric insulators.
I will be listing them on Bonanle and Ecrater one day next week when I get the pictures made. I hope some of my friends stop by and see them. I will probably post them on Facebook also, it gets more traffic that this blog.
I wish there was a creative Birdhouse group I could join but I am not aware of one.
I've been helping Ike in the kennels this morning. He just sold one of our registered Dachshunds. I've also cleaned a flower bed. I'm sweaty and nasty right now. Need a bath but will be going back out, so no need for that yet. It's really hot here today and not raining for a change.
I got a order from eBay for 50 ceramic buttons, I need to get started on them Monday. Looks like I will not have as much free time this coming week as last.
Life is good and has been very productive.
Bettye

It's rainy here today not getting to much done

I think if it ever stops I will be working in the yard pulling weeds while the ground is soft and weeds are easier to pull. Not a fun job under the best of circumstances- but I'm afraid it's a necessary one.
Ike just ask if we were going to do anything today -so I better close this out and get going while he is ready to do something productive.
A productive day is a day not wasted.
I did have a very productive day yesterday- see the new W/Gig above, I did.
A day wasted is one you can never get back. We should always strive to make the most of all the time we are given.
Life is good.
Bettye

TGIF- I'm ready for the weekend

I've had a really busy day. I helped Ike clean the garage hoping this would get me some points to get something done that I want him to help me with. It worked.
We now have a clean garage and I have this beautiful new trellis I wanted for my Jasmine vine. I've included a picture for you to see. I love it. He is just the greatest- when he wants to be. I even got a birdhouse out of the bargain but we didn't get it finished. Maybe we will get it finished tomorrow.
It has just been a beautiful day. The day was just perfect temperature wise, not to hot and not to cold. This is the best time of the year.
I had a eBay order for 2 Tweety Whirligs this evening. I know what I will be doing tomorrow- getting those crafted.
I love to make things though, when I have orders.
Life is good.
Bettye

A day in the life.

This has just been the nicest day. Ike was here with me and we didn't do anything but hang out together and plant a few thing- dug in the dirt so to speak.
He is raising a garden again this year. I know I should be down there helping him but gardening to me is a waste of time. Most of the time the things he plants just go to waste -since I don't know a thing in the world about canning or preserving vegetables.
He has planted over 300 strawberry plants. I love strawberries and tomatoes but all of the other stuff I don't care for- I don't like vegetables- I will eat corn, and potatoes but the green stuff, I don't like. My daughter ask him to plant her some okra and squash- so he did. I hope she will take care of it and see that it gets preserved. Mama can't help her though- so I don't know who she can ask. I could probably Google it for her. Can you believe someone my age doesn't know how to do these things. It's just so much easier to buy it at the Super Market fresh, or in a can, all ready to cook.
I take care of my plants and flowers around the house and in the yard- that's enough to keep me busy.
This is Wednesday already- I haven't been to busy this week.
I did sell a Wyle Coyote W/Gig on Monday from my Ecrater Booth and got it shipped out today.
(See the picture above of the finished W/Gig)
I have 3 Mugs to do tomorrow.
I will get them done tomorrow for sure- since I just heard Ike get a call to help move some cows from a neighbor - he will be off to work and that is when I seem to get more done than usual. 3 Mugs want take long to do.
He should be home by noon and we have a trellis to build when he gets in.
I want him to help me build some birdhouses but am not having to much luck getting him to do it. It requires lots of angles, measuring, and power tools- I don't do good with those things, but I can sure decorate them once they are done. I have all kinds of unique ideas floating around in my head.
Gona close- I'm rambling as usual.
Life is good.
Bettye

Hello everyone

I thought I would tell you about my day. It has been a busy one.
I finished a new Whirligig and listed it on Bonanzle and eBay. It is called "Walking in the rain" featuring 2 very familiar cartoon characters -all of you will recognize.
Here's the Bonanzle link to it:
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Somethingpretty/items
/Whirligig____WALK_IN_THE_RAIN
Sorry it isn't click-able but you can copy and paste it into your browser if you want to have a look at it. There is probably a way to make it click-able but I don't know how it's done. I'm not to smart on this computer.

I had to cut, dry, and paint, 32 drops for my Sewing Machine pins- that took awhile but I use 3 different ones on each pin so they will last awhile hopefully. I'm always glad to make them though, that means I am selling Pins and I like that.
I also mowed the yard. It's been raining here for so many days I thought I was never going to find a day dry enough to actually get it done. There is nothing prettier than a freshly mowed lawn.

I have had to spend the last 3 days alone. Ike had a small job he had to do and it sure was lonely without him. I got to sleep really late though, with him not here. He's finished it today, so hopefully no-one else will call needing something done. I worry so much about him when he is off working.

Well, I seem to have reached a ending to this post. Can't seem to think of anything else to write.
So blessing to all who drop by.
Life is good.
Bettye

Look what my sweet granddaughter did for me.

She gave me a pretty background for my page. Now it doesn't look so generic and bl-aw!
It has some color, and flowers- orange is a favorite color of mine. Now if I knew more about adding other things of interest when folks come here they might actually stay for awhile and read my blog and share theirs with me.
She's so spastic though- doesn't have much patience with gran-mama.
But aren't they all. I wonder if and when they get old (they think they never will- at this age) if they will wish they had been a little bit more patient and understanding. Time will tell- I just hope I can be around to see the change- when and if, it happens.
Bettye

I'd like to introduce you to this site

http://www.plumdrop.com/
It's where you can show widgets to all your selling sites.
It's a very friendly community and offers a place to blog. I actually blog there.
Just add this link to all your outgoing personal emails and your friends can click on the link and see all your selling venues and all the items you have to sell in each one of them.

Here's the link to my Plumdrop booth.
http://www.plumdrop.com/members/Bettyboop

Thanks for looking-hope this is helpful for all who take the time to explore it.
Life is good.
Bettye

Haven't been here in awhile

so I thought I would drop by and see if anyone had checked in- Well, they haven't- as I felt would be the case.
I can't expect to much when I don't put much into this blog. I'm going to try to do better.
I would like to add a few links to my blog to introduce you to some really creative people I have meet in the past few months.

I'll start with the link to my booth on Bonanzle a great new selling site I have found.
http://www.bonanzle.com/booths/Somethingpretty
Please check it out to see and purchase my handcrafted items.

http://thehandcrafterscottage.ning.com/
My friend Nancy heads this group and it is full of a creativity. Please stop by and let me know what you think.

http://brightestblessingswiccans.blogspot.com/ This is another one of my sweet friends. She uses my custom Button Covers as closures on her beautiful quilted purses. Check her out.

I will be adding more as I find time.
It's a beautiful day here in Tennessee and I am blessed.
Ike and I are both well so- life is good.
Bettye

I have transported

some of my Plumdrop post here. I have been more active on that site than this one but hopefully that will change.
There are just so many hours in a day though and sometimes it is just really hard to stay on top of everything. I am attempting to get more traffic to my selling sites. I need to make a little money.
When you are old and no source of income- except Social Security and the money you make selling your crafts, it gets pretty hard. Times are bad for everyone. I realize that.
I just keep plugging along and am managing to "stay a float" so to say.
Gotta get up from here and do supper for my son- he is coming to eat with us tonoct. It is worth all the trouble cooking a meal, to know I will be getting a great big hug from him when he gets here.
Write more another time.
Bye for now.
Bettye