And the winner is. . .

After much deliberation and lots of great advice from my friends on Etsy, I have decided to go with #2 (see below for the options)as my new avatar on Etsy.com. I relate to my flower girl. . . somehow she describes me. I've loved her since I created her. A closer view gives a hint of detail which will hopefully pull people in to see more in my shop. She is just perfect for my avatar.

So, Christmas came and went SO quickly. I had my craft shows monopolizing my time for a good portion of November, and they went so well, that a good portion of December was a continuation of the shows as I finished my custom orders. I did lots of last minute shopping, and before I knew it, Christmas was here.

I have to tell a quick tale of my 7 year old son and Santa Claus. My work room has been, well, lets say full. (I admit I am messy, but my work room is just literally too small to hold all of my stuff. Anyway...) After my second craft show, I was cleaning things up a bit and putting other things away. In the midst of the pile I was sorting through was several rolls of Christmas wrapping paper. At this point, Austin walked into my craft/work room and takes a look around. The Christmas wrapping paper caught his attention. Here is the conversation that took place:

"Goose": "Mom, that wrapping paper is the same wrapping paper that Santa's presents came in last year."

Mom: in shock and amazment that he would remember the paper and not just what was in it... "Really? It is?"

"Goose": "Yep" in a hushed tone: "Mom, I know your secret."

Mom: truly in shock now "Oh!!, well I guess its up to you to help keep the secret then."

He was *thrilled* to be in on it all. However, I think the excitement was a little too much to keep to himself, because just before Christmas, I asked all the kids to help clean up the house to get ready for Santa. To which "Goose" AND "Sweetie" answered, but Santa isn't even real! That was the first I realized that Sweetie didn't believe in him anymore. I think she likes the idea of Santa though, because she actually asked why there were no presents that were marked "from Santa" this year. Tank is too little to understand, and with the other kids already knowing my "BIG secret", I didn't go through all the effort. Its kind of sad.

On the flip side, they loved what they got this year. Goose continues to be obsessed with Legos, and was thrilled to spend time with my husband putting them all together. Sweetie got a couple barbies that kept her entertained the entire day of Christmas, and Tank got a doll head that she can comb and decorate her hair. Of course there were lots of other miscellaneaous toys, but they the point is that everyone was content. We didn't go overboard, we are not in debt over our Christmas, and everyone is happy. What more could we ask for.

Now its time to get back to work! If you can believe it, I still have 2 more custom orders to finish up that were not for Christmas!

Your vote is needed!

I need your help deciding on my "avatar". On Etsy, every shop owner chooses an avatar that they feel "describes" them, and entices people to click into their shop. Some people have pictures of themselves, some choose pictures of the product they sell, and yet more choose pictures of their pets or children. I've had this cute flower girl as my avatar since I joined etsy this summer. I love this sweet girl, however, because avatars must be small (only 75 pixels) I'm afraid she is too small to distinguish. I've been playing around with other ideas and would LOVE to get your vote for the best avatar. Flower girl is still in the running. Here are the contestants...

#1 Flowergirl: Original

#2 Flower girl Close up...

#3 Mary...

#4 Designs in Floral

#5 Mom

#6 Tuscany

#7 Field

Do they make you want to see more? VOTE NOW for your favorite! Thanks!!

Where to begin?

I have had so much fun lately reading other people's blogs that I thought I would try out having my own. Here is a little history about me. . . about 13 years ago, I met my wonderful husband in Nauvoo, IL. We were both dancers in the City of Joseph pageant there. We were married in 1998 in the Chicago, IL temple and have enjoyed our time together since. We are blessed with 3 children and a work in progress. :) In other words, we will have another baby in May. I don' t know what we are having yet, but am very anxious to find out. So are the kids. "Goose" as we call him, is my oldest, he is 7 years old, and he wants a brother! "Sweetie" fits her nickname perfectly, and she is hoping for another sister (she's 5). Tank has been the baby of the family. I'm not sure she knows what is going on yet, but she LOVES babies, so I'm not too concerned. She is 2, but turns 3 this February.

Thats my family. A little more about ME. . . I suppose many people would call me crafty. I love crafts of all kinds. For a while I was hooked on scrapbooking, although I must admit digital cameras have sort of stalled that love of mine. I have ventured into sewing and quilting, but my true craft love has evolved over time to be flowers. My Mom is a florist, so I guess the love of flowers is inherited. My favorite thing to do with flowers is to grow them, press them, and turn them into art. I make people, landscapes, buildings, homes, and whatever else I can think of all with flowers. It is very rewarding for me.

So, I am a mom and I am an artist. I also work for a doctor. That is another love of mine. I got my bachelors degree in Community Health, but wish I had gone for a nursing degree. I hope to go back someday. In the meantime, I do a lot of the same things as the nurses in my office for less pay. LOL. I suppose thats life.

With all of that on my plate, I have little time for anything else. I hope blogging will fit in with it all! :)