Crocheted Awareness Ribbons

So I have a big cancer walk coming up. I blogged about it the other day. Since lavendar is the color for general cancer, a couple of friends and I made purple chocolate ribbon lollipops to sell for a dollar each to help raise a little more money. So I decided to try and crochet a strip that could be turned into a ribbon. It came out great! I love it, and it was so easy to do!

I chained 25, then did one row of double crochet. Slip knot to finish. Fold it into a ribbon, and then I will attach a stitch to keep the center together. I'm going to get safety pins to attach to them.

Then I was thinking that maybe what I will do is start attaching them to hair clippies as well. Crochet all different colors that mean different things! Then I could sell them on my etsy shop and include them as a separate section. I'm excited because they literally take 5 mins to make. I'm excited to see how they sell at the cancer walk. Just the ribbon pins I will sell for a dollar. The hair clips I'm thinking $2.00. I haven't really thought that far ahead just yet. I will first have to make a bunch of them. Lavendar is also the color for epilepsy. I'd love to make a bunch of lavendar ones and then figure out a way to put my niece's name (Lena) across the ribbon. I think it will be great for the epilepsy walk we do in October. I have to do a little more research for that one though.

DDB is now on Twitter!!

So we are now venturing into the world of Twitter! Wish me luck! Seemed easy enough to set up! Now I just have to figure out how to get my name out there and reach out to people ON the site!

I'd love for you to follow me!

http://twitter.com/DarlingDazzles

I'm walking for a cure over night

Over the years I have always tried to do things for good causes. An important cause to me is finding a cure for cancer. I'd like to share my reasons with you.

When I was 19, I experienced my first loss of someone close. My best friend's mother passed away from Lung Cancer. It was devastating to experience death for the first time like that. But we've always tried to do something in memory of her.

January 18, 2006: My good friend Jessica had a lump removed from her breast on her 28th birthday. She had found it while nursing her 8 month old son. She underwent chemo and radiation, and lost her hair. Par for the course I guess. She was considered clear and free and had hair growing back by the time our engagement party happened in November of that year. While she was recovering, her 31 year old sister also noticed a tumor and started her own battle with cancer. Jessica chose the medical route for treatment, Amy chose the natural route. Jess miraculously became pregnant with her second son. While pregnant her sister Amy lost her battle with cancer in June 2007. She gave birth to her beautiful son on August 28, 2008. Jessica's hair was all grown back, she was healthy! Dealing with the loss of her sister was enough to deal with. She started having pains in her neck that kept worsening. When Gavin was 8 weeks old, Jessica's cancer had returned. This time already in her lymph nodes. I will never forget the day I took her for her brain scan. I drove her, helped her with the kids, and went home. It was a rainy day and I was off of work so I could go to a wedding down the shore. I got a call 20 minutes after being home. It was Jessica. She was crying telling me she had cancer in her brain and she was going to die. I lost it and cried with her. I told her we were going to stay positive, and not give up yet. And that's just what she did. She fought and FOUGHT HARD right to the end. She died 2 months later on December 21, 2007. Six months after her own sister's passing and one month before her 30th birthday. By the time she passed, the breast cancer had spread through her organs and down her spinal fluid. I remember spoon feeding her root beer floats because that's what she wanted even though she could barely get the words out. I remember telling her how much I loved her. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss Jessica. SHE is the reason I do what I do. She is the butterfly in my life.

So you may ask... why am I walking over night? Well I am bringing my team Friends With Angels to the Relay for Life of Montville. The theory of this event is that people with cancer live with it 24 hours a day. So by walking over night, it is symbolic that we won't sleep for a cure. What people affected by this illness go through is just incredible. Walking and raising money is the LEAST I can do to help.

If you are interested in making a donation, you can go to the following link. Any gift is a generous gift. I am forever grateful for the continued support in my life.

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/bobbi.tomalo

My team is also hosting a bowling fundraiser. We are looking for sponsors who would like to sponsor lanes! Lanes are $45 and lanes will have a sign posted recognizing each sponsor. The event is this weekend the 31st. If anyone is interested in sponsoring a lane and having their business advertised, please feel free to reach out to me asap. Thanks!

What we do for cute shoes....

Why is it that when you go to try on shoes at the shoe store they fit, you walk around a little bit to see if they are comfortable.... they are. So you proceed to the check out line. You wear them the first time and they aren't too bad. You figure you're just breaking them in because they're new. You wear them out to a bar one night... OMG they are killing your feet and you sit down most of the night. You figure it's because at work, you are sitting down most of the day, not standing. Then you go to wear them because they match your outfit SO well, and they are just such adorable shoes you want to wear them! The morning starts off ok. Hobbling out of the gym already at 8 am? Must be because I'm carrying a full gym bag up a hill through the parking lot. Get to work... I'm sitting, phew! My left pinky toe is a bit smushed, no big deal. My right big toe hurts because I'm 92% sure I broke it a while ago and it has yet to heal. As I continue to dance so crookedly around my office throughout the day I'm wondering why I torture myself so. Then as co-workers ask if I'm feeling ok because I'm hunched over and limping while I walk, my response is well..... this and that hurts, but these shoes are just so cute! When will I learn??

Two new firsts for me!

I am now broadening my horizons! I have become such a huge fan of etsy and handmade gifts that I officially made my first etsy purchase! I bought custom bookends for a friend who's having a baby. I sent the shop owner a picture of the bedding set that the couple had registered for. She made a beautiful set of bookends with the baby's name on them. I will post a picture here later when I get home. I want to thank Leslie at Stymiepie Studios for doing such a beautiful job! Here is a link to her etsy shop! http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7148733 I think this is the perfect gift for someone who's doing a book basket for their shower!! My first official etsy purchase was a wonderful experience, and I would definitely purchase from her again in the future. You can also check out her blog here: http://stymiepiestudios.blogspot.com/

So not only did I complete my first purchase.... but I'm also now part of a team. I'm officially on the EtsyNJ Team. I am very excited to be part of a team that will help each other grow! I love everything about Etsy, the connections I've made, the advice and things I've already learned. It's a great community, and I think it's going to be even better being part of a team! You can check out the EtsyNJ Street Team blog here: http://etsynj.blogspot.com/

Link for Wind Curtain

In response to my last post, SG (http://www.blogger.com/profile/11324304321751170433) had asked if I could post a link as to where the item could possibly be found. Being that I am so grateful for this purchase, I have found the link and am posting it here for anyone interested in purchasing. It was well worth the $38 I paid for it and will definitely be put to good use again in the future.

Happy Tenting!!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8486791&findingMethod=rr

A Lesson Learned Today

Well today's attempt to sell at a craft fair gave way to a couple of lessons learned! I decided to share a space with a friend (check out her beautiful jewelry at www.alisajewels.com). Last I checked the calendar, it was the middle of May... Well, today's overcast/windy weather forced temperatures to stay within the 50's. We seemed to be the only ones on the grounds prepared for the weather. Not only did we have a canopy, but our canopy had WIND walls! :-) Everyone that came into our tent had a positive comment about our tent. Thank goodness, because it only took us twenty minutes to figure out how to and complete attachment of the walls, only to realize we attached it upside down. Hence why it was flapping all over the place. Five minutes later, wind walls were in place and secured correctly. Lesson #1: The wind walls will go with tent canopy wherever I go!

As everyone is set up and we're looking around at the other vendors we notice that most vendors are selling older items (their own junk).... only to realize we are at a craft fair and YARD SALE. Everyone there is looking for a bargain. Lesson #2: Only set up shop at a craft fair that has crafters ONLY!! No more craft fair/flea market combos for these girls.

Six hours is quite a bit of time to spend at an event. I was so stressed about having enough inventory for the event, I forgot to think about keeping myself fueled with some sort of food. I brought a bottle of water and a snack. Thankfull Alisa was nice enough to share her sandwich with me. Lesson #3: Prepare food for the day of the event.

So all in all, I sat in the freezing cold (ok, not FREEZING), worked hours and hours on bows recently only to make about $30 total ($5.00/hour)... Woo hoo! Better luck next time I guess!

Why is it that....

We attach ourselves to characters in a show as if we know them personally?? If you have not yet watched the Season Finale of Grey's Anatomy... I suggest you go to another blog now, and come back when you have watched it. I don't want to get blamed for ruining the ending for anyone. However, I NEED to get this out there because It is almost 12 hours later and I am STILL thinking about it. If anyone used to watch the series "Friends", you'll know what I mean by this. You get so into a show and their characters you feel like you know them, or are even part of the show. You gossip about them to friends that are also as obsessed as you are about them. And the gossip seems real as if you're talking about real people. Well this is how I've grown over the years to feel about Grey's Anatomy. I have not been as into a show since Friends was on. I absolutely adore the characters and their story lines. So now onto Grey's.... This year, when I read in the tabloids that Katherine Hiegl no longer wanted to be part of the cast, I was bummed. But as soon as she started seeing Denny... I knew it was going to be cancer. And I was right. I've been so enveloped in her story... crying almost every week... especially in the beginning because I could relate it to my own personal story with a friend and it just hit too close to home.

So that brings us to the Season Finale, and reports that Katherine Hiegl had a change of heart and wanted to stay a little longer, but that she had no idea what was written in the script for Izzy. So George all of a sudden enlists in the army. I then realized TR Knight had wanted off the show as well. I figured that's how he was leaving. Then with Izzy and the surgery, everything was going as I expected with the show. The last 10 minutes of the show completely blew me away when John Doe started writing 007 in Meredith's hand and she realized that the John Doe who was hit by the bus was George. Chills ran all through my body!! I was in complete shock. Then he and Izzy flat lining at the same time. Izzy in her prom dress in the elevator. Of course I expected the elevator to open to denny on the beach, but no... It was George in his military uniform. I out loud said "Oh no" and went into a waterfall of tears!! Then my husband said I'm no longer allowed to watch those shows. I can't help it. I'm just so drawn in. I love it. I was so wound up and dumbfounded by the last ten minutes that I tossed and turned while hubby slept soundly. How does a show do that to someone and end at 1100 at night like that?! The only positive that allowed me to chill out and get some sleep was the fact that they did not call time of death on either character. Obviously next season will open with us finding out exactly what happened. My prediction is that Izzy will pull through, and George will not. I do hope that is the case rather than losing both of them. But what amazing writing to end a season like that! Wow....

Getting Motivated All Around

Why is it that it's so easy to fall off the bandwagon when it comes to working out? I don't get it. I love working out. I love the way I feel afterwards, and it is my own self care promise. This week is my first week working out again since two weeks ago. The death of my grandmother made for a hectic few days which is where the "stopping" started. Then the following week, it did nothing but rain.... ugh! So I just was not in the mood to get up at 5:30 AM to treck 20 mins to the gym.

However, I turned over a new leaf Sunday evening. I told myself I was getting back on track this week. My goal: To get to the gym Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays... yes, at 6AM. Then on Tuesdays (which is today), I'm going to kickboxing class at cko clubs. LOVE it! My body has never had a better workout than it does at kickboxing. It's worth every penny! Taking all the days frustrations out on a heavy bag... doesn't get any better than that!! So as I sit in my office chair all day, I start to mentally prepare myself for cko this evening...

Maybe it will disperse some of the stress I'm feeling about preparing for this weekends craft fair. I really hope I have enough inventory and an eye catching display to make for a successful day.

There have been lots of things on my mind lately. I really am trying to focus on prayer, and the positive. Trying to be grateful for all that I have and to just live humbly. It's always easier said than done of course. Someone else always has what you want, and that green eyed monster comes out wishing for more, bringing feelings of negativity into your head. I do appreciate everything I have. There are many others in worse situations. I am a very fortunate person and am motivating myself all around in the area of self care.

Have a blessed day.

I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time!

So last night my husband and I go out to dinner at the local pizza place. We pick up the free local town reader to browse through on our way in. Didn't read through much of it before dinner, but on our way home, he was driving and I was checking it out. This reader is full of advertisements, local information, jokes, and insightful thoughts submitted by people in the surrounding towns. Well, I read this one joke, and was laughing so hard, I couldn't stop! I was laughing so hysterically that I was crying... and not just tears coming out of my eyes, I was practically balling! Thank goodness I wasn't driving, and thank GOODNESS I didn't have to pee! Anyways, I tried to read the joke to my husband in between gasps of air, laughing, and the tears pouring out of my eyes... He thought it was funny, but was laughing more at me. Who knows.... maybe it wasn't as funny as it seemed to be. Maybe the stress I've experienced over the last week or so needed my body to experience that type of reliefe. Either way... that laugh was needed, and the visual I got while reading this joke made me think of my own weekly church experiences.

Anywho... I'm going to share this joke with you, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Beat Up In Church
A man showed up at work one day with a black eye. When his co-workers saw him, they asked him what haad happened. He told them it had happened in church. They didn't believe him, and wanted to know what really happened.

So he told them, "I went to the church. I got on my knees and prayed. When I stood up to sing the hymns, there in front of me was the biggest woman I had ever seen. Her dress was stuck in her butt crack, so being the gentleman I am, I reached over and pulled it out for her. She did not like that, so she hit me." The guys laughed and ribbed him about it all day.

The next week he showed up to work and his face was beaten really badly! Again the guys asked him what had happened and he told them he'd got beaten up at church. Again they didn't believe him, so he explained, "I went to church. I got on my knees and prayed. When I stood up to sing the hymns, there in front of me was that same big woman with her dress again stuck up her butt crack."

At this point the other men interrupted and said, "Please tell us you didn't pull her dress out of her crack again?" "No, the guy standing beside me did, and I knew she didn't like that, so I shoved it back in."

OK... so I didn't bust out into hysterics while retyping it. So it must have been my body's need to release endorphins yesterday. lol Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it.

My First Treasury!!

So I am adding another "first" to my day today!! I happened to check the treasury section of etsy and noticed the lists were close to opening up. I had prepared the item numbers I wanted a couple of days ago.

So here is my first! Enjoy! I know I had a lot of fun finding the items!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=56888

Woo Hoo!!

I am very excited to be starting new things today! I have officially made my first etsy sale. I had two purchases in the beginning, but they were both from someone I knew. This was my first transaction with a new customer! It's a very exciting day for me!

I'm also starting my first blog. Hopefully my blogs will give you the opportunity to get to know me and who I am as an individual.

Why did I start making bows one might ask... Well, I made bows to help raise some money for my niece's medical bills. She has a multiple seizure disorder and has spent many days in her little 2 year life span so far in the hospital. Her parents are trying to sell their home to save some money. My sister in law is not only family, but she is one of my best friends. There are three of us (we call ourselves a tripod). We all hold each other up, and without one it just doesn't work. Stacy asked me what we could do to help raise some money. I knew my church was having a craft fair, so I decided to play around with making some hair bows. They ended up being really cute. I figured by doing the craft fair, this was a way for me to get public feedback as well. The response was great and I decided to turn it into my own business. I've got a lot of goals set in mind, and have the big picture in view! :-) I know it takes time to really get going, but I KNOW it will all be worth it in the end! Check out my shop on etsy! I'd love to know your thoughts!

www.darlingdazzlesbowtiq.etsy.com