Trip Out West to Visit My Daughters

While out west visiting my daughters, we took Keyna for lots of walks to the grape orchard.
Paulas' favourite was going to the dog park.
We even got to do a market together of all our felted and crocheted creations.
Tara really was thrilled with that.
We spent time at the waterfront.
My girls spoiled me cooking up great meals and baking for me.
Keyna got so many cuddles that week:)
It was a wonderful time spent with 2 of my very special girls. Love you both. You too Keyna.

Rich Red and Black Teapot Cozy Listed on Artfire.

This is the latest Teapot Cozy I have listed on Artfire.
Artfire is a new website I've joined recently.
I have put this and a few more on my Etsy Shop as well.
I enjoy making them and I cant keep them all:)
This one is rich and velvety.
Makes a Pot of Tea pretty classy.
You can see more at my Artfire Shop

http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=439777

Sheree's Blog about My Shop

I was contacted by another Etsy Shop owner named Sheree.
She had found my shop on Facebook and fell in love with it.
She then asked me if she could write a blog about my cozys and other items I create.
Of course I said yes.
I got to know Sheree as a buyer as well as a writer.
I'm so pleased with the job she has done I want to share her blog with everyone.
Thanks Sheree you too have made something warm, my heart and soul:)
Check it out
http://www.shadesofvictoria.blogspot.com/
Sheree also has an awesome Shop on Etsy I'd like to share:
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5729563

I Made The Front Page, on Etsy!

Wow I'm so excited, a few days ago this teapot cozy made Front Page on Etsy.

It is really quite a treat to get a spot on Front Page, as Etsy has soo many amazing items. I got lots of views and 15 hearts, which means people have marked me as a favourite item. I started making teapot cozys about a year and half ago. I was designing and making purses at the time. One day I was having tea with my neighbour and I took a few purses with me to show her. She took one of them and put it up to the teapot and said wouldnt this look great as a teapot cozy? I agreed and she was the first one to receive one. I made her a cozy to match her kitchen and she was so excited. She loved it . I've been going crazy ever since designing and creating these cozy little things to keep our tea hot. Hope you enjoy. I think I'm gong to have a nice cup to tea. bye for now.

Mom And I

Here I go again talking about my mom.
Some say we look alike. We both have blue eyes. We have been alike in some ways and others quite different.
I was born on her birthday. I kid her once in awhile about what a birthday present I was.
Tommorrow is another step in moms' life. She is leaving long term at the hospital and we are taking her to a nursing home.
Hoping it goes well.
I would like to share something I found out about moms dementia and lung infection that I didnt know. When a person has dementia and gets an infection of some kind they can become very delirious. I knew this from past experience with her. What I didnt know was the delirium can last for days, weeks or months after the infection is cleared. That was the confusing and scary part we didnt understand.
Mom is her pleasant self again. Good Luck tommorrow Mom, hope you like your new home.

Our Family Trip

Back in May my husband and I flew to B.C. and met our 2 daughters.
We then rented a motor home and off we headed to the U. S. border.
We first visited the HOH Rainforest in Olympic National Park, Washington.
We were all blown away by the beauty of it.
So mystical and green and full of life.
It was like another world.
As you can see in the photo I've added.
Then down the Oregon Coast, with breathtaking views, tide pools and marine life.
We'd drive along and stop for hikes through the forest or check out tide pools ect..
I loved seeing all the seals, whales, deer, elk, and even banana slugs, I'd never seen before.
We then headed down to the California Reds. Talk about huge wonderful trees. You just cant imagine, until you are walking through them.
Our family loves nature and we sure got to see lots of it.
The best part of the trip was we got to do it with our girls, and even better yet, they spoiled me and cooked all the meals.
It was a time we will always remember.

Our Bluebirds

We have been very blessed this summer to have had a beautiful family of bluebirds nesting near out home.
We watched everyday as they fed the four babies and cleaned the nest.
Then one day all was quiet and the family had flown off.
We wonder where do they go?

My Wish List

I love this website it lets you pick out handmade items you like, for others to see.
This makes it so easy for them to shop for you.
Check it out.
http://www.myhandmaderegistry.com/profile/BarbaraCarpenter

Moms' Dementia

The last 2 weeks have been very hard.
My mom who has dementia became very strange.
She no longer wanted to stay in the Retirement Home she had loved and been in for 4 yrs.. In fact she didn't even remember it. She was suddenly upset and wanted to go home.
We were able to go to the home and distract her in the late afternoon. She'd go to bed and be fine.
Then we get a call that she had gotten out and was heading home. Luckily one of the workers saw her.We knew we couldnt leave her alone for one minute. She was obsessed. We took turns never leaving her for 24 hrs.
To make a long story short. We had to have my mom hospitalized and they have her on meds. I was upset at first, but I know its the only way. We are waiting for a nursing home. It could take months.
She seems at peace now. She is happy to see us and never asks to go home.
She says she likes it there. Im not sure if she even knows where she is.
Mom and I just celebrated out birthdays together on April 30th. This is my mom on her 89th at the Retirement home. Love you Mom

Sunny Day a Visit to the Vets

Today we took our 16 yr. old taco bell dogs to the vet. He is such a compassionate man. We have been going to him for many yrs. and have told others about his very reasonable prices and his caring ways. Our lttle guys have been so blessed to have had his care. This is so special to have in this day and age. Its was so crazy there today, many large excited dogs, barking and pulling there owners around.
We saw little shy cute dogs. I was surprised, no cats today. He must have had his hands full with this one, one lady and man had 8 very large puppies. They were so cute, hope they find good homes for them.. There are alot of animals needing homes. That is one reason I never had our female bred. So many dogs needing homes...and besides I would have worried about them being safe and happy in there new home. I may have ended up keeping them. Two has been quite plentiful...

My Moms' and My Birthday!

I just got back from visiting my mom on her birthday.
It's crazy, but it's my birthday too.
What a present! :)
My mom has dementia and it was a bit sad, and a bit funny.
She'd see the cake and party hats, ect. and realize its her birthday and smile.
Then she'd say isn't it your birthday too?
Then she'd wish me Happy Birthday, over and over with the same question.
It was like she'd just realized it.
We had such a fun lunch.
They made us wear birthday hats and everyone laughed and teased us.
Then we went back to her room at the home and she'd say, is it our birthdays today?
She'd forgotten the celebration.
I took lots of pictures and she can look at them and relive it over and over.
So I came home and thought I'd relist one of my recycled hats.
Maybe I could make Happy Birthday hats. That's an idea.
I got the most beautiful bouquet of flowers today and my husband is cooking me supper. What more could I ask for? Check the hat out in my shop
www.soulybarb.etsy.com

Today is a beautiful sunny day. I just got back from a walk.
I live in the country so the birds and trees around me are inspiring.
My tulips and daffodils are flowering. I can' wait for the lilacs and the lily of the valley to flower. The scent from them are so wonderful.
I will be adding a new teapot and mug cozy set to my shop today so check them out!
Have a great day, hope it is sunny for you too today.
http://www.soulybarb.etsy.com

100% Cotton Mug Cozy

This is a 100 Cotton Mug Cozy, I crocheted.
It's bright and cheerful and will keep your coffee or tea nice and hot.
Great start to a new day!

Check out my shop for more http://soulybarb.etsy.com

Beautiful Spring Day!

Today I'm taking a break from my shop and the computer. It's a beautiful sunny day and I'm going to work out in my flower gardens. Our tree swallows are back and flying and chirping around over my head. Spring is in the air. Have a beautiful day.

Today I added one of my 100% Cotton, Mustard & Green Mug Cozys.
My new cotton cozys have a fresh new spring look.
View it in my shop.
www.soulybarb.etsy.com

I was in a Treasury!

I was in a Treasury today. Look what was in it.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=23976921

My New Recycled Teapot Cozy

Check out my new teapot cozy design. Its made from recycled
material and yarn.
Find it @ http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5875044

Taking New Pictures for My Etsy Shop

Today is a photo day for me. I have designed and created a few more of my teapot and mug cozies and will be putting them in my shop.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5875044
It is so exciting having a shop online and selling my creations all over the world.
It is my passion to create, it sooths my soul!

Martha Stewart and Rosie Made me a Sale!

The other day I got a sale from a lady and she told me she found out about Etsy by watching the Martha Stewart Show.
Rosie ODonald was on it and they were talking about Etsy and its handmade creations.
I tell everyone now that Martha and Rosie got me 4 sales.
I was the first person she bought from on Etsy after seeing the show.
How exciting is that.
I have such hope for all of us sellers on Etsy :) Soulybarb

Starting My Shop on Etsy

I have always had a passion to create. I couldn't quite decide when the kids were young what is was I wanted to make. I just knew I needed to do something.
At that time being creative with the kids, making cakes and cookies and Barbie furniture, kept me calm.
I knew though I had more in me.
I began in my mid years to have a great desire to burn animals on wood.
I visioned this deer on a piece of wood.
I looked all over for books on wood burning and couldn't find anything.
Then one time I joined my husband on a trip to Toronto Sportsman Show.
What I found there blew me away. It was a booth with all the burnings I had visioned in my dreams. Even the deer was there.
I soon found out they were also offering wood burning classes not too far from my home.
I started and my teacher pointed out quite quickly that I had a natural talent.
I went crazy with it.
My daughter came home from Australia. She had been creating jewellery, and crocheting for some time and selling at markets.
I thought wow I can do this while I'm not burning.
I loved designing and creating jewellery and crocheting even more.
I couldn't stop, it was one beanie or cozy after another.
I then applied for a Art Show and was excepted.
I had an even bigger reason to create now.
I live on a farm surrounded by nature. I thought oh if I could only have a store at this peaceful spot
Of course I didn't have the customers near by.
Then I saw an ad in a magazine about Etsy and this is where it all started.
I applied and got on it right away.
I love Etsy and all the fellow artists and crafters.
Check it out at www.soulybarb.etsy.com
When I design and create it sooths my soul and makes me happy.
Without this I would be lost.
I have always taught my daughters to be true to yourself and live your life to its fullest.
My girls are also on Etsy and have the bug...
Check them out at www.naturallyspunsisters.etsy.com