Link to my Squidoo Lenses

Here is a handy search link so you can find and read all of my Squidoo lenses - and I hope you will want to. I appreciate all visits, comments and ratings.

http://www.squidoo.com/search/results/kae1crafts

Kae

CHANGES - Moving

For Sale
2002 NASH 29V Travel Trailer

WAS $14,900 NOW $10,900

Dual Slides
Air Conditioner
Microwave
“Fantastic” Power Vent
Vent Covers
Island Queen Bed W/Dual Air Mattress
Bath Skylight Dome
Awning
Stabilizing Jacks
Power Hitch Jack
Heat Reflective Windows
Diamond Plate Front Rock Guard
Dual Axle W/Shock Absorbers
Spare Tire
Less Than 500 Road Miles
Many Other Custom Features

Non-smoking and Pet Free

Phone: 297-4341 Or see at River’s Edge RV Park Space 15

Coquille, Oregon 97423

As you can see, my life and thus the focus of my blog is changing for a while. We are in the process of moving to from Oregon to Colorado to be nearer to children and grandchildren. We lived in Boulder, Colorado for 27 years so we know what kind of climate we are changing to but our main change is from living as full-time RVers to apartment living. After 19 years of RV living we are very accustomed to having wheels under us and the freedom to go where the road leads us and having our home with us.

Because of this move, I've put both of my Etsy stores on indefinate vacation hold until we get to Colorado and after 2009 arrives so that I don't have to calculate state income taxes for a business in two different states this year. That is a real pain - I've done it before!!!

There are a lot of steps or logistics to this kind of lifestyle change as we are currently living in our trailer but need to sell it - timing becomes an issue but we are up to the challenge and have contingency plans in place if the trailer sells soon.

I am posting the picture and details on our trailer for easy access for anyone who is interested. I will keep a journal of the move as we progress. Today I am working on disposing of extra books and magazines which I will donate to the local friends of the library for their next sale. The library and thrift stores here will benefit from this move as we are taking only personal effects and leaving all small appliances and most kitchen ware and restocking when we arrive. That is more cost-effective and trying to move it.

What Can I Do With This? Game

What Can I Do With This?


“A stitch in time saves nine.”

Notice that this pearl of wisdom doesn’t state nine what – stitches, cents, minutes or all of these?

“But I don’t sew,” you say.

No problem. It is very simple to sew on a button or to tack a seam by hand. All it requires is a needle, scissors and thread that matches the garment. In fact, if you secure the buttons before you wear the garment the first time you will probably never have to replace one as they will stay in place. The commercial sewing of buttons leaves a thread hanging and if you pull on that thread your button magically disappears. Once that happens you have to spend more than nine minutes finding another one, more than nine cents to purchase a new one and often more than nine minutes to sew it on if you count the time to get out your supplies, sew and put everything away.

The same principle holds true with many things. If you oil a squeaky hinge when it first starts to squeak, it won’t annoy you as much and it won’t wear out as fast.

Fix a leaky faucet and you save money on the water that drips down the drain and the faucet won’t wear out as fast.

Tighten a loose screw or bolt and it won’t fall out and disappear so you have to purchase a new one or throw the item away because you can’t find one the correct size.

But what if the item does break or wear out? What do you do with it? Throw it away? That is the American way after all – just toss it and go buy a new one. But remember, we are working on not spending extra money but learning how to change our wasteful habits.

The thrifty person looks at it first before tossing it to see if there is any part that can be used for another purpose.

Does it have a handle that will work on that case where the handle broke?

Do the small gears lend themselves to your latest art or craft project?

A plate breaks and after I get through being annoyed I wonder if I can use the pieces as mosaics in the new stepping stones for the patio.

My jeans have too many holes to repair – can I make a purse or an apron or a pot holder out of the useable pieces?

When something at our house breaks I hold it in my hand for a moment and try to imagine a new life for it.

Of course, not everything can be reused but you will find many items that can and save pennies or dollars with a small amount of thought and effort. Remember every penny you save this way you don’t have to pay the government taxes on again so it is really more than a penny saved.

One example of this is, I have a lovely brown stretch top in my shop that had a small spot on the front. Now it looked like new except for this small spot and I couldn’t bear to just toss it. I found a small piece of lace with a flower and leaves in it and cut them out, used some fusible webbing and attached the lace to the top. Then I added some fabric paint and a few amber and topaz colored glass beads. Instead of a spot, now I had a lovely lace bouquet on the front. Since this top was slightly too small as you can see from the picture I listed it on Etsy in hopes it will make someone else’s wardrobe sparkle.

Every item you reuse instead of discarding means that there is one less thing in your trash that you have to pay to have hauled away and one less thing in the landfill.

Reuse, Repurpose, Upcycle, Recycle – make these words a part of your daily life and your piggy bank game will grow rapidly.

I'm in two Etsy groups that focus on reusing and recycling items: EcoEtsy and Trashion. When you visit Etsy, search for trashion or teamecoetsy and you will find a wealth of ideas and products to help you save money and be creative with your own items.

Added a Follow This Blog Link

Hi Everyone,

Thanks to Lyndel of BearHollowCreations wonderful instructions I was able to add a follow this blog button on the right hand side of this blog and hope that you will do so. If you follow my blog, I'll link to yours.

Fall has officially arrived and with it many activies on my various street teams. The Trashion Street Team has a couple of biggies planned. Watch this space for updates on the Trashion Monster Mash, a Virtual Trunk Show and Save the World Sale.

The VAST (Visual Artists Street Team) has a fall colors challenge so many new items will be posted and I'm sure a lot of lovely treasuries will feature these items.

My OCEAN (Oregon Coast Etsy Artists Network) just finished a local art festival very successfully and now are working on various local events and a rack card to promote our items.

EcoEtsy rocks as a street team and many treasuries are created weekly as well as updates to our web page and the Etsy Mini photos that display our work.

Last but not least, Acetsy and Aceo Bounty Challenge keep creating wonderful ACEO's for all of us to collect and give as gifts.

If you haven't already done so, attend one of the Virtual Trunk Shows in the Etsy Virtual Labs. They are a lot of fun and you get to see wonderful items and learn more about the artists who create these items.

SALE Section added to my Etsy Store

I've just added a SALE section to my Etsy store. Click on any of the pictures above and they will take you directly to my store. This week I'm featuring great buys on three items of reconstructed clothing. I hope you will check it out.

Handy Cleaning Tip

A fall feeling is in the air and makes me think of a crackling fire in the fireplace with me all snuggled up with a cup of coffee (cider, tea, hot chocolate or whatever you want) and some soft music playing in the background. Now this is a lovely picture but how about tomorrow when you need to clean the soot off of that beautiful glass fireplace screen. The picture turns not so pretty unless you use this tip.

First, make sure all the ashes are cold before you try this.

Take a damp paper towel or rag and dip it into the cold ashes. Now smear those damp ashes all over the sooty glass and interior frame (wherever you want to clean off the soot). Let is stand for a couple of minutes and then take a wet rag and clean off the ash mixture. Most or all of the soot should be gone but if any remains, repeat the damp ash treatment. Once all of the soot is gone, either clean with your glass cleaner or just polish with crumpled newspaper. Your fireplace glass screen should be shiny and ready for another good book and crackling fire.

Now if you want to keep your tea warm while you are either cleaning or reading, how about this tea cozy I have listed in my shop?

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale Treasuries

The VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale is in full swing with lots of wonderful art and some of it is showcased in these treasuries. I hope you will check them out and give them some clicks as well as visiting the various stores featured and pick up some wonderful art at affordable prices.

VAST LaborDay Sale!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4449

More VAST LaborDay SALE!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4619

VAST Visions
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=4646

VAST Labor Day Weekend Sales Event

The Visual Artists Street Team had such a successful Christmas in July event that we have decided to hold a Labor Day Weekend Sale. At this moment there are 16 shops participating with a variety of discounts available from 25% off everything in my stores to buy two prints and get the third free and a variety of other discounts and programs. I hope you will all take a moment and check it out. This handcrafted carousel book is one of the items in the Kae1Crafts store that will be discounted 25%.

Here is the link to the forum thread with all the latest on the VAST Labor Day Weekend Sale.
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5780437

And here is the latest list of participating stores:

Here's a list of the VAST shops that are participating in our LABOR DAY SALE:
http://www.hwinfield.etsy.com/
http://www.coquinaarts.etsy.com/
http://www.hammelmanart.etsy.com/
http://www.norablansett.etsy.com/
http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com/
http://www.kauaiartist.etsy.com/
http://www.studiovirgo.etsy.com/
http://www.jamieribisi.etsy.com/
http://www.glasscatjewels.etsy.com/
http://www.kae1crafts.etsy.com/
http://www.dianeclancy.etsy.com/
http://www.susanelkin.etsy.com/
http://www.lilypang.etsy.com/
http://www.heronkate.etsy.com/
http://www.scharart.etsy.com/
http://www.siiso.etsy.com/

Whew! That's SIXTEEN Wonderful Art Shops that are participating! Awesome!

and if you count my http://www.kae1supplies.etsy.com/ then there are 17 great places to save a lot of money.

Happy shopping.

Monster Mash Materials Arrived

The Trashion Street Team is holding a Monster Mash and I'm taking part. We have been assigned trading partners and mailed our Monster Materials. Mine arrived yesterday and now I need to see what Monsters emerge from the wonderful box of goodies that NatureMadeScents mailed to me. As you can see from the picture - there are many monsters lurking in that pile of goodies.

We are each to create 2 monsters - one goes into our personal Etsy store and in my case it will be sold in the Kae1Crafts store. The second monster will be sold in the HOST store to benefit Etsians in need. Any further monsters we create from the materials can be sold or given as gifts.

Watch my blog for updates on this Monster Mash with pictures to follow.

VAST SALE Update

Hi again,

The VAST Christmas in July sale is still going but there is a new forum link with the lastest info.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5731996

Don't miss out on this great sale.

VAST Christmas in July Sale Continues

Some of the participating stores are continuing to offer bargains through the end of July. Now is a great time to stock up for Christmas and beat the long lines, save on gas and get a jump on that busy time of year.

Here is the link to the forum thread where anyone joining this list will be adding their name and items so check there for the latest offerings.

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5730649

Here is the current list of Visual Artists Street Team bringing their art to you at reduced prices!

Kae: http://Kae1Crafts.etsy.com/
http://Kae1Supplies.etsy.com/
Melanie: http://TheCreatorsPalette.etsy.com
Susan http://susanelkin.etsy.com
Diane http://DianeClancy.etsy.com
Jen: http://www.IrresistableImages4u.etsy.com
Ellen http://www.girlworkstudios.etsy.com
Kate www.heronkate.etsy.com
Jess http://blackeyepea.etsy.com
Jean http://www.jeanhood.etsy.com

VAST Christmas in July SALE

Here is your chance to put a beautiful piece of original art under your Christmas Tree this year and do it at a great price. The Visual Artists Street Team has some awesome works and they are being offered at great prices. Don't miss out on this sale.

Etsy stores participating in the VAST Christmas in July Sale so far are:
JeanHood
treeartist
artbylmr
TheCreatorsPalette
kauaiartist
dianeclancy
Kae1Crafts

For a preview of the great listings check the VAST Gallery Blog.

http://vastgallery.blogspot.com/

Check this thread for updates

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5706334

And I will blog as I have time.

EcoKate has Front Page Treasury

My EcoEtsy team mate, EcoKate has her awesome treasury on the front page. I've captured a screen shot for those who missed it. She is very mathematical inclined if you look at this one. :)

Mom is with the Angels

In loving memory of Genevieve Elliott

Everyone eventually comes to this day - the day that their Mother dies. Suddenly you are the older generation. So much of what I am today is due to her teachings, her passions, her love.

My Mom was an awesome cook who baked, canned and provided wonderful meals for her family. Her buttermilk biscuits were light and fluffy, her oatmeal cookies delighted the taste buds, her jams and jellies won many first prize ribbons at the county fair. But she didn't just cook, she also sewed. I remember when I dreamed of having a reversible pleated skirt and we didn't have the money to purchase a 'store bought' one. My Mom helped me find the material that was suitable and then used her treadle sewing machine and painstakingly matched and sewed the skirt. Suddenly I was the proudest girl in high school with my new reversible skirt.

Mom's talents didn't end with the cooking and sewing. She also loved animals and her life on the farm in Southwestern Oregon. She was a master at taming wild kittens when their mom would bring them out to join in the communal feeding in the barn. An injured animal seemed to trust Mom instinctively and allow her to tend to the injury. I once watched her remove a mole trap from my dog's paw. The dog stayed very still - it just whined a little even though it was trapped and in pain - while Mom gently removed the trap. Most people would have been afraid to try, but not Mom.

Lilacs, roses, gladoli and fushias were featured in her garden and yard. Reuse, recycle, upcycle and frugal living were a way of life - at times from necessity but often because it just made sense to this country woman.

A neighbor needs help, Mom was there with a friendly word and always food to comfort and sustain them. Someone was injured, Mom was there with the calmness of spirit and willing hands to take charge and make it better.

Mom has been involved with raising foxes, dairy cows, sheep, cattle, chickens, goats, dogs, cats and kids - and loved them all.

Then came the day that she could no longer manage the farm and we couldn't either so it was sold and she lived in town. One day she fell and broke her hip and with the same patience and determination she had always shown, she walked again, decided to stay in the assisted living facility so her kids wouldn't worry and "because it was just so comfortable, I stayed."

I don't remember a day that I didn't see her with a book to read. Even when her mind began to fail, she would have a book on her lap and proudly state that "I am a reader."

In her memory, I created a treasury of some of the things that I knew that she liked. I hope you will view it and learn a little more about my Mother.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=10183

In getting to know her, you get to know me just a little as I find myself doing many of the things that she used to do. I love to cook, sew and read. I find myself reusing, repurposing and recycling many things which has led me to join EcoEtsy and Trashion street teams on Etsy.com.

Mom, thanks for all you have given me. Have a wonderful time playing with the angels.

Love,

Kae

EcoEtsy Treasury on Front Page

Silver of the Valley's treasury just made the front page of Etsy. Here is a screen capture of the treasury for those who missed it.

Here is a link to Silver of the Valley's shop:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5526983

Capturing Screen Shots

Hi Everyone,

I've been creating treasuries on Etsy to promote the ACEO Bounty Challenge (link to this challenge under favorite blogs on the right side of this page) and was lead to this handy site for capturing screen shots: http://www.thumbalizr.com/ You just enter the URL you want to copy and it creates a screen shot for you. I use a PC with XP and it works fine for me.

Here is a screen shot I just took with it.

Storque Article Uses my Item Picture

WOW!! I was reading this very interesting article in the Etsy Storque and when I got to the bottom and was looking at the pictures they had selected to go with the article - there was one of my items!!!! {See Kae doing the happy dance} Here is the article link and it is well worth the read. http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/craftivism/article/upcycling-for-greener-living/10/

A big thanks to the author TeenAngster for using my picture.

ACEO BOUNTY CHALLENGE TREASURY - CELEBRATE LIFE

I've created a treasury featuring the talented artists that are participating in the ACEO Bounty Challenge which started today. Anyone can challenge this group of artists to create ACEOs in a theme, style, subject and then the individual members can decide whether or not to create and post their creations for sale. The complete details can be found on the thread and a collection can be seen in the treasury.

Here is the thread link:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5566696&page=1

And here is the Treasury link:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39221

This challenge has a special reward at the end and often mini-prizes along the way so be sure and check it out. You may just find some awesome mini-art or win a prize.

ETSY TREASURIES AND EARTH DAY IS COMING

I've been trying to make it a special project to capture treasuries on Etsy that will feature Earth Friendly items or images of our lovely world as a lead-up to Earth Day. Also, watch the Storque http://www.etsy.com/storque/ for articles on Eco-friendly and Earth Day activities.

My lastest treasury is here and will last until April 15 @ 11:00pm Eastern time:
EcoEtsy and Trashion Together
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=39047

Here is just one picture from this treasury with permission from fisheye:
If I get more treasuries after this one expires, check them out too. The more views the better.