My Treasures...

Etsy Features: "Paradise Hill Designs"

Paradise Hill Designs, from British Columbia, creates "rustic yet refined wood creations" designed and handcraft in their shop. Their simple and beautiful designs include "unique small boxes, rustic yet refined picture frames, desk accessories, home decor, original wooden art cards, woodburn engraved jewelry and wire art." They use "beautifully aged reclaimed pine in most of pieces, as well as local birch, poplar and cedar & maple wood."
I am a biased towards jewellery... So I am particulary partial to these Barnwood Keepsake Boxes which would be perfect for all sorts of jewellery! Be sure to take a look at their gorgeous shop!

Wedding...

The lovely welcome!

Drinks... For a hot day!

My family... Dad, Holly, Stephen, Mom, Bren, Jay & I

Wedding...

On Friday, I missed my post... I missed it because we were in Leamington, preparing for the wedding of my brother, Stephen and his fiance, Holly... It was a lovely weekend that culminated in a perfect wedding! I've decided to post a few pictures of the wedding each day this week... I hope you enjoy!

Etsy Treasury... "Chocolate Covered Cherries"

I finally snagged a Treasury spot... After nearly two months of looking for one! Check it out... And please click on each item... "Chocolate Covered Cherries"

"Purple Pink and Orange" Ad

Check out another new ad I'm running on "Purple Pink and Orange"

My Little "Studio"...

I decided it was time to take pictures of my little "Studio"... My "Studio" travels with me in a fabric covered box... Our house is very full... And I don't have a permanent workspace... But I think, as I've come to learn, that it's better this way! Most of the time my "Studio" sits with me on the couch so I can work while watching episodes of my favourite 90's show, "My So-Called Life"... At other times, it travels with me... To my parents, to Jess', to the Robinson's... And in a few weeks, to the cottage! Take a look at my lovely little studio!

Special Shop Announcement!

{SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT} I'm getting so close to 50 sales! If you are my 50th sale you'll recieve a free ring, of your choice with your order!

Order now at {The Ardent Sparrow}

Etsy Feature: "White Rabbit 21"

Susan, from Vancouver, is a graphic designer by day... And a creator of lovely stiched items by night... I especially love her felt boxes and her chequebook covers... Who wouldn't love to have something pretty to look at when you're signing your money away!?!

Browse her lovely shop at White Rabbit 21

Etsy Feature: "budanART"

Mandy, of BudanART from Pickering, Ontario creates abstract "Original paintings, chunky mounted prints and archival reproductions" of the Canadian landscape... Here work is amazing and not to be missed... Check it out at budanART

My... How It Flies!

I remember hearing people say, "They grow up so fast"... I thought it was so cliché... But they're right... My baby marked six months with us on Friday... And I can hardly believe it... It's gone quickly... And yet, it's hard to remember what it was like before she got here! God has been good... Tremendously so... She's happy, healthy, joyful and well-loved! "Promise me you'll never forget me because if I thought you would I'd never leave." (Winnie the Pooh)

Delicious Summer...

Etsy Feature: "Sodeco"

Sodeco, another amazing Canadian Etsy seller! They create "graphics that are ideal for bringing life to blank walls. they are versatile - easy to apply and remove. washable . simple . original . removable . stylish . not permanent . updatable . personal . diy."

Etsy Feature: "Stichface"

I love the adorable creations of "Stitchface", another Canadian Etsy seller (from London, Ontario)!

Checkout "The home of all things cute and lovely" at "Stitchface"

New Ad on "Modish"

My new ad is finally running on Modish, a great handmade style blog! It'll run until July 14th... Check it out (in the left hand column, you might have to scroll down a bit) at Modish

Sale Today!

I'm having a huge sale in my shop today! If you've been looking, and perhaps thinking of buying, today's the day! Sale announcement:

"SALE TODAY! 10% off all orders over $20 (before shipping). SPECIAL BONUS: There is a set in my shop that’s 50% today only! Find the secret code "T10T" in that set’s description and receive it 50% off! Please put “T10T” in notes to seller to take advantage of these special offers!

BOGO SALE! Buy one ring, pair of bobby pins or barrettes and recieve the second ring, pair of bobby pins or barrettes HALF OFF! Difference refunded after PayPal payment clears! TYPE "BOGO" in message to seller to recieve your discount!!!!!"

Etsy Feature: "Punchanella"

This is one of the best handmade items I've seen in quite some time... And I spend a lot of time looking! Charming and colourful... A must have... The "Bling Sling"

I think I'll let Punchanella describe it in her own words (from her Etsy site): "i've been obsessed with travel jewelry rolls for quite some time now... okay wait, i'm obsessed with the contents, but really quite like the roll as well. it's SO handy when you're on a trip and need a place for your goods. PLEASE don't just shove them in a baggie (scratching your bling) or, heaven forbid, set them on the night-table (my Grandma would be so ashamed of you!). This bling sling has two pockets for bracelets, earrings or necklaces, and a ring-roll for, well, rings. the ring roll snaps down so you can't lose them and the pockets all zip shut. so secure!!!"

Check out her Etsy shop or her web-site to design your own "Bling Sling" or to browse her other amazing handmade items! A gold Indie star to Punchanella... I love it!

My Baby Bren...

I've been thinking a lot lately about how quickly Bren is growing... I've always promised myself that I would never be the kind of mother who spent more time in the past than the present... That I would raise her from the beginning with the knowledge that someday she will leave... And that is normal... And good... And God's plan! Instead of being sad that she's growing so quickly, I've been seeking God's grace to love and enjoy every moment with her... This has been a very long and quiet week... But she has brought me so much joy... The Lord has been gracious... In giving me a little girl... In giving me a little girl so much like me... She loves to be with me... Which is amazing! She loves to talk and giggle... And I'm beginning to see so much more of the person she is... And it's incredible! I pray continually that the Lord will show her what is true and right through our lives... This is a heavy weight... But God is good... And He continues to grow us... And I pray that she, above all others, will reap the benefits of what He's doing in us!

What Do I Know of Holy?

"I made You promises a thousand times... I tried to hear from Heaven... But I talked the whole time... I think I made You too small... I never feared You at all... If You touched my face would I know You? Looked into my eyes could I behold You? What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood... But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy? I guess I thought that I had figured You out... I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about... How You were might to save... Those were only empty words on a page... Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be... The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees... What do I know of Holy? What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame? And a God who gave life it's name? What do I know of Holy? Of the One who the angels praise? All creation knows Your name... On earth and heaven above What do I know of this love? What do I know of You Who spoke me into motion? Where have I even stood But the shore along Your ocean? Are You fire? Are You fury? Are You sacred? Are You beautiful? What do I know? What do I know of Holy?"
Addison Road

Treasuries!

I wrote a few days ago about being part of a Treasury on Etsy... And this morning, much to my surprise, I noticed that I'm now part of TWO new treasuries... Check them out at "Get IT, As in BUY it" and "Allergies Ugg!!"

Brennah's Quilt

My lovely friend Jess surpised Brennah with a quilt this past Sunday... It is simply stunning... And more importantly, meaningful... There are three phrases stiched on the quilt, all of which Jess and Clara use regulary to refer to Bren: Sweet Pea, Juciy Peach, and Brennah Bear... There is also a lovely stiched version of our house and a chunky chicken (Grandma Kath's name for Bren)... Thank you Jess... For thinking of Bren, for loving her so much... And for a gift that she will always have, love and cherish! Have a great time in Michigan! We love you!

Treasury...

The Treasuries on Etsy are a bit of a big deal... Etsy members pick some of their favourite items and it's from the Treasuries that the front page layouts are chosen! I've been hoping to be part of one for quite some time... Finally... It's happened... Look for my necklace, "Leave It All Behind"... Here it is: Be JeWeLeD

It's a scavenger hunt... So read the clues and follow along for your chance to win a $10 gift certificate!

Attention Little Ladies...

Being a mommy of a little girl (who is currently too small for any of my new creations) I began to think of adding some items for the littler ladies to my Etsy shop... I've added some of these hair pieces and there are many more to come! I hope they will be something special that moms (and dads) can purchase for their little girls... Check them out at "The Ardent Sparrow"

"Strawberry Fields Forever"

Check out this gorgeous bag made by my good friend Jess... Are you interested in purchasing it? Send me a message and I can hook you up with her!

Etsy Features: "Simple Pleasures Soapworks"

Krysta, a fellow Canadian Etsy seller from Alberta runs a lovely little shop called "Simple Pleasures Soapworks"... She makes different soaps from goat's milk and shea butter, along with an assortment of other body products, including lip balms.

Check out "Simple Pleasures Soapworks"

Rings...

I've added some new items to my site... Adorable little rings... I think they're pretty cute!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day... Some of my favourite pictures of this beautiful country!