Easter Week-End Trip

Great Smokey Mountains













Our 4 hour drive took a little over 6! We drove to our daughter's in Chattanooga for Easter week-end and decided to stay off the major highways.
Making the trekk through the Smokey Mountains on a beautiful Saturday morning was the most peaceful and relaxing time hubby and I have had in a long time. The sound of the breeze in the trees and the rushing cool water stream was better than any doctor could order. Stopping along the way to take pictures was almost more than hubby could stand but he was gracious enough to stop. Guess when you are the driver getting to your destination is top priority!

Sunday morning service at "The Net" church was another gift and truly an outstanding sermon by Pastor Ryan May. As we stood for the last prayer, hubby, our daughter and myself held hands and I knew God was telling me, "You are in the middle of a miracle!"

Through it all, I believe we are all "Standing in the middle of a miracle"! Don't let the world steal it away...look to your "miracle" and always remember the light will overcome the dark....ALWAYS!

Promotion Flash Monday!

A fun way to promote other talented crafters and highlight your shop as well....Promotion Flash! Sooooo, it is "Promotion Flash Monday"!

Here are five shops with beautifully created products, from hairbows & jewelry to crochet and lace! Have fun shopping!

Do you fight to contain those annoying plastic bags from the grocery, yea...those bags! The ones that make a mess in your pantry! Welllll, No more...purchase one of Mimi's plastic bag holders. Stuff them into the top of the holder, then pull from the bottom and get one at a time, when you need 'em. Plus MANY more wonderful items in Mimi's shop!
http://zibbet.com/mimiandcolette
http://facebook.com/miandcolette
http://twitter.com/mimiandcolette

Have you ever had a bracelet that converted to a necklace and back again within seconds?! I just bought one from SkyJewelry and LOVE it!
Plus this shop has a special section for "deals of the week"!
http://www.zibbet.com/SkyJewelry
http://www.facebook.com/SkyJewelryPage
http://twitter.com/Sky_Jewelry

I've been sewing for almost 50 years and the lace in this shop is some of the most beautiful! You've got to take a peek! (Oh, my...could I be that old?..hehe)
http://www.zibbet.com/suhafuha
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suhafuha/155098654543207
http://twitter.com/Suhafuha

This shop and POP embroidery (my shop) have collaborated to come up with these beautiful gift sets! Bib/burp cloth with matching bow! Ladybugs, bees and cupcakes, oh my!!! We would love your suggestions and feedback!
http://www.zibbet.com/LorisStylingHairStuff
http://www.facebook.com/#!/LorisStylingHairStuff
https://twitter.com/#!/lorisstylinghai
http://lorisstylinghairstuff.blogspot.com/

Smurfbeads has stunningly beautiful beads and jewelry! Great eye candy and just think how elegant the beads would look in your jewelry designs!!!
http://www.zibbet.com/smurfbeads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/smurfbeads

Enjoy browsing and shopping!

Shop Collaboration!

In a Zibbet Community Hub discussion by AllAboutTheButtons, I saw a comment by LorisStylingHairStuff that caught my eye! Collaboration...I've seen three others that seem to have worked out well. However I've never done anything like this before and was shy about approaching Lori. I know, I know...me, SHY??? Yes, I was...at least this time:)
So many questions, who would absorb shipping, take photos, would the items sell separately or as one set and many more!
It fascinated me enough to contact her PLUS my bib set and her bows seemed to be a perfect match! It turns out this was her first collaboration also...so we worked out the details together and as the plan developed, we did alot of honest brainstorming.

This is the results of our efforts and we think it is pretty awesome! What are your thoughts? We'd love to hear your ideas, too! Are you thinking of a shop that would compliment your product and a possible collaboration? It takes some work and time but the results are double exposure for each of your shops!

We've listed the same listing in each of our Zibbet shops, LorisStylingHairStuff and POP embroidery
The listing is for a complete gift set and upon a sale, we send each other money via paypal. So far, easy peasy! And what a wonderful presentation!

Promotion Flash on Zibbet Shops!

Four Zibbet shops on our cross-promotion venture today! Visit them at their shops, facebook, twitter or blog! Wonderful way to meet unique, creative crafters!!! Now that is something you won't find at big-box stores;)

Meet Lori!
http://www.zibbet.com/LorisStylingHairStuff
http://www.facebook.com/LorisStylingHairStuff
http://lorisstylinghairstuff.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/#!/lorisstylinghai

And BeadnKnot!
http://www.zibbet.com/beadnknot
http://www.facebook.com/BeadNKnot
https://twitter.com/#!/beadnknot

And Raige, home of the toekini's!
http://www.zibbet.com/RaigeCreations

And Red Rose,
http://www.zibbet.com/RedRoseConfections
https://www.facebook.com/RedRoseCakes
https://twitter.com/#!/RedRoseCakes

Yiiipppeeee more shops to promote!

Louise Knits,
http://www.zibbet.com/louiseknits
http://luisafelice.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/louiseknits

Fancy Stitch Junction,
http://www.zibbet.com/FancyStitchJunction
https://twitter.com/FancyStitchJ

And a Mom & Daughter duo!
www.zibbet.com/MOMeveryday

www.zibbet.com/KIDeveryday

And Nancy!
http://www.zibbet.com/monkmama54
http://www.zibbet.com/frugallyfoundforyou

Have fun "shopping"!

Asheville, NC...feels like home!

Our move from GA to NC last Summer was one of the most difficult for many reasons. We aren't new to moving, by any means, as 24 years in the USAF taught us well. However, this move as empty-nesters and moving to a completely new area where we didn't know a single person was almost overwhelming. Needless to say, we packed up and moved with me "kicking and screaming"! LOL

We've been here 9 months and I do believe this city was hand-picked for me. I LOVE ASHEVILLE! Beautiful mountains, wonderful downtown and the history...oh, the fabulous history! PLUS the River Arts District, Big Love Festival, The Big Crafty, Elementality, Take Five, HUGE local farmer's markets, THE theatres, Home Free Bagels, The Biltmore and I could go on and on!!! These events and businesses are the very foundation of my heart and spirit....crafts and helping others! The Citizen-Times wrote this, "Home Free Bagels to employ homeless, pay living wage and donate profits for housing effort" in an article by Joel Burgess!!! AMAZING! And their business seems to be growing by leaps and bounds! Visit HomeFreeBagel facebook page and give them a shout-out from me!

More to come on "things to do" in Western North Carolina! Too much for one article for a novice writter like myself! lol

Now, I know this city doesn't go without conflict especially in this difficult economy. However I strive to stay focused on the positive aspect of everyday life. Look at all of these people in ONE city making lemonade out of lemons. Maybe our law makers should adopt this "can-do" attitude! Remember the light will ALWAYS overcome the darkness, ALWAYS!
Mmmmmm......Could I be falling in love with Asheville?