CHRISTMAS SALE!!!!!!

From now until December 25th you can get 25% off your purchase.  Type in coupon code "CHRISTMAS2011".  This is an awesome deal that you should not pass up:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JodisCraftEmporium?ref=si_shop#

The Love of Natural Beauty

http://www.etsy.com/listing/87838683/the-love-of-natural-beauty

This beautiful necklace has its own natural beauty. Its the type of beauty that will go with anything and never have to worry about if it matches. This beauty is made out of variety of peach glass beads. The mix includes floral design beads, flattened oval beads, bicone beads, and assorted sizes of round beads. It also includes pink square glass beads. This wonderful mix come together nicely to make this gorgeous necklace along with the gold plated spring ring clasp and connector. It measures approximately 16 1/4 inches from the spring ring to the connector.

I purchased these beautiful beads from this shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/jiagirl?ref=seller_info

A Very Merry Christmas Coaster/Mini Dishcloth Set

http://www.etsy.com/listing/36270202/a-very-merry-christmas-coastermini

Are you that type of person that likes to match everything to the season or holiday? Plus, love that simple look? I might just have what you are looking for. Here is a beautiful crocheted coaster/mini round dishcloth set that compliments well with the wonderful holiday of Christmas and will remind you of those delicious peppermint barks. With its red, white, and greens that give that feeling of holiday time right into your kitchen and comes in a set of 4. All of these coasters/mini round dishcloths are crocheted out of 100% cotton. Make these a beautiful addition to your home today.


Measurements:

5 inches around

Tangarine Mandarine and Brown Bookmark

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79454706/tangarine-mandarine-and-brown-bookmark

Are you or somebody you know loves to read but always uses a tissue or a receipt for a bookmark. Well, maybe, you should get them this beautiful bookmark to use instead. This adorable looking bookmark is made out of plastic canvas and 100% cotton yarn. The colors go well with the summer season. Hurry and grab this bookmark for your gift giving needs. I am sure the reader in your life will enjoy it.

If you need more than what is listed, please contact me for a special order.

Measurements:

5 1/3 inches by 1 inch

***NOTE***

I use this listing to relist my bookmarks. This bookmark will have a different dye lot but the same yarn.

Its December Already

I cannot believe that its December already.  This year has flown by so fast.  Christmas shopping is almost done.  We are usually just starting the Christmas shopping.  Very proud of ourselves about that. We are definitely not spending thousands of dollars on this holiday because we do not believe in that. :) All we need here now is the snow to make Christmas complete.  Its December 4th and we have yet to have measurable snow in NY.

I am already setting goals for next year with family, crafting, and personal. First goal is to be blogging everyday.  I have been really bad about not keeping up with things this year and want it to change for next year.  I love typing and writing, which I need to put more effort in.  I need to put my head in my crafting, taking more family trips, and starting taking more initiatives with life.

Its That Time Of Year Again..........

Most of us have probably started our Christmas shopping or half way done with it.  Today we started ours by putting our gifts on layaway.  I love using layaway because I would never have to worry about coming up with all that money up front.  Then just make payments until it is paid off.  We are hoping by the end of November we will be all set and no more shopping left :)

But I would also like to make the suggestion of buying things that are handmade.  A lot of people enjoy handmade items as gifts.  Check out this website for all your handmade shopping:

http://www.etsy.com/

I love this website and sell the items that I make there too.  I found a lot of amazing gifts for this year also.

True Meaning of Labor Day

What is the true meaning of Labor Day and how did we get this holiday?  How did it get started and why?  Well I can say the best place to read up on this is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labor_day

Labor Day started in May of 1882 by the Central Labor Union in New York.  The actual first Labor Day was September 5, 1882.  Labor Day is always on the first Monday of September.  The link above is great history lesson about how Labor Day came about and why.  Great read and please comment below.

Pretty Pink and Spring Green Flower

Here is a cute little flower that was crocheted with 100% acrylic yarn. The colors of this flower is a great complimentary color for summer time with its bright colors of pink and green. This 2-layered flower will make a great addition to anything that you are making, especially for hats, scarfs, etc.

If you like what you see but would like more and/or in a different color, please contact me about a special listing.


Measurements:

2 inches by 2 inches

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81158518/pretty-pink-and-spring-green-flower

 

Spring Green and Pretty Pink Flower

Here is a cute little flower that was crocheted with 100% acrylic yarn. The colors of this flower is a great complimentary color for summer time with its bright colors of pink and green. This 2-layered flower will make a great addition to anything that you are making, especially for hats, scarfs, etc.

If you like what you see but would like more and/or in a different color, please contact me about a special listing.


Measurements:

2 inches by 2 inches

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81157023/spring-green-and-pretty-pink-flower

 

Spring Green Flower

Here is a cute little flower that was crocheted with 100% acrylic yarn. The color of this flower is a great color for summer time with its bright green color. This 2-layered flower will make a great addition to anything that you are making, especially for hats, scarfs, etc.

If you like what you see but would like more and/or in a different color, please contact me about a special listing.


Measurements:

2 inches by 2 inches

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81156051/spring-green-flower

 

Pretty Pink Flower

Here is a cute little flower that was crocheted with 100% acrylic yarn. The color of this flower is a great color for summer time with its bright pink color. This 2-layered flower will make a great addition to anything that you are making, especially for hats, scarfs, etc.

If you like what you see but would like more and/or in a different color, please contact me about a special listing.


Measurements:

2 inches by 2 inches

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81155227/pretty-pink-flower

 

Newborn (0-3 months) Striped Hat in Pretty Pink and Spring Green

Are you looking for a cute and simple newborn hat for a baby girl? This could be the hat you are looking for. This adorable hat was crocheted out 100% acrylic yarn and is striped in the bright colors of pretty pink and spring green. You can keep this hat plain and simple or you can add a cute flower to it to give it that girlie look. In this shop I have a ton of flowers to choose from. If you would like me to put the flower on the hat please put it in the message to seller box when you go to purchase cute hat. If you would like more hats than what is listed and/or in a different color or make the hat longer (5-6 inches), please contact me. We will work out a custom order for you.

The measurements for this hat is 5 inches long and will fit 13-14 inch head circumference.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81154287/newborn-0-3-months-striped-hat-in-pretty

 

Newborn (0-3 months) Spring Green Hat

Are you looking for a cute and simple newborn hat for a baby girl? This could be the hat you are looking for. This adorable hat was crocheted out 100% acrylic yarn and in the bright color of spring green. You can keep this hat plain and simple or you can add a cute flower to it to give it that girlie look. In this shop I have a ton of flowers to choose from. If you would like me to put the flower on the hat please put it in the message to seller box when you go to purchase cute hat. If you would like more hats than what is listed and/or in a different color or make the hat longer (5-6 inches), please contact me. We will work out a custom order for you.

The measurements for this hat is 5 inches long and will fit 13-14 inch head circumference.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81153580/newborn-0-3-months-spring-green-hat

 

Newborn (0-3 months) Pretty Pink Hat

Are you looking for a cute and simple newborn hat for a baby girl? This could be the hat you are looking for. This adorable hat was crocheted out 100% acrylic yarn and in the bright color of pretty pink. You can keep this hat plain and simple or you can add a cute flower to it to give it that girlie look. In this shop I have a ton of flowers to choose from. If you would like me to put the flower on the hat please put it in the message to seller box when you go to purchase cute hat. If you would like more hats than what is listed and/or in a different color or make the hat longer (5-6 inches), please contact me. We will work out a custom order for you.

The measurements for this hat is 5 inches long and will fit 13-14 inch head circumference.

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/81152715/newborn-0-3-months-pretty-pink-hat

 

Its Time to Get Back in the Routine

Its that time of year again when most of us parents are getting ready to send our wonderful kiddos back to school.  So what does that mean?  It means a brand new routine and try to make time to get everything done each day. Instead of taking it easy in the morning, its now time to for a routine morning of showers, breakfasts, trying fit in a morning workout, etc.  Right now, I am still trying to plan my morning routine and my evening routine.  A lot of you are probably saying, "Why plan a routine if there are going to be changes?"  I am the type of person that has to have a routine to get me through the day.  Yes I know there are going to be changes but I learn to roll with them.  I was raised to understand that there will be changes but try to keep a routine to the best of your ability. I just started to  teach and remind my older son, who is Autistic, that everyday always expect a change might happen.  It seems to work lately and I am keeping this up with him. But anyways, I have so far came up with my morning routine of getting up at 5:30 in the morning to do Zumba, Wii Fit Plus, or Cardio Hip Hop (I will be changing up my work outs every morning) and wrote a list of things that need to be done up to 7:30 when we have to leave to drop off my older son for Middle School.  Tomorrow I will have a routine list finished for the gap between then and when my younger son starts school at 8:50.  This is a whole new experience for me but I look at it in a positive way.  If you look at it negatively, you are stacking yourself up to a horrible day.

Evening routine is quite simple.  Homework, dinner, dishes, straightening up the house, etc.  I haven't fit everything in a time slot yet due to waiting to find out my schedule from work, which I will find out tomorrow.  Once that is in my hands than it will be easy to set it up. I know every parents' evening is quite busy with sports, taking kids to work, etc.  That is when you fit a routine in to the best of your ability.

You are probably thinking, holy cow what is she thinking.  I am thinking that is just easier to have some sort of idea to what needs to be done each day at which time. Usually it takes a couple weeks for the routine to be set and everyone is on board with it.  Sometimes my boys will give me a rough time about it but after those couple weeks they are good to go with it. 

I am not saying that everyone should have a routine.  I just think it would make peoples' lives easier if they have some sort of routine to get them through their day.  By experience, I know your kids will thank you for it when they have a family of their own.

If you have any suggestions that would help other parents to establish routine and make life easier when their kiddos go back to school, then please leave a comment below.

Relisted: Tangarine Mandarine Multi-Use Circle

Looking for a great item to use for decorating, scrapbooking, or add to your latest project? Also would have a use to scrub your face at night. Then check out these beauty. This cute little circle can be used for many things as facial scrubbies, appliques, and even part of a project that needed tiny circles.. The circle is crocheted out of 100% cotton yarn and go well with the summer season with its bright color of tangarine mandarine. The measurements are approximately 2 1/4 inches around

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79451679/tangarine-mandarine-multi-use-circle

Positives of Life

We see too much of negativity going on around us that it simply makes it easy for us to slip into it.  But there are some that stay in the positive and ignore the negativity.  Kudos to the ones that can do this because that means you are strong especially in times like these.  Keeping positive gives you a better outlook in life and you also make better choices.  I learned a valuable lesson yesterday and thought to myself, I can do this.  Here are some things that I have learned:

"You got to believe it before you can see it.  If you are open to it you can have a perception for it.  Perception gives you energy".

"By celebrating whats right you get the energy to do it".

"The difference from being best for yourself than be your best for the world. Balance what you do and who you are".

After hearing these messages, I knew I had to change.  But change is good especially if its a good type of change.  Change is all around us and we must change along with it.  Complaining or being negative about change will get us nowhere but heartache and depression. 

So I vowed I will try very hard to keep the negative out and pull all the positive energy in.  Positive energy drives you to complete task, work hard on your goals, and never give up if a change is thrown in front of you.

Help Out A Fellow Etsian

I am helping a fellow Etsian out due to something going on that I am not at liberty to say. Once she gives me the ok I will update you all. She is the owner of ArretsPlace and Zzazz on Etsy along with her shop Zzazz on Artfire. She was there for me when my dad ill in September of 2009 up to his death in May of 2010 and when my grandma passed away in February of 2010. I would like to return the favor in any way possible. I am donating 25% of my sales to her for the expenses that are accruing. Please stop by to take a look at what I have listed in my shop. I will even take custom orders, remember to put down 50% for your order, will work with this. This poor lady has been through a lot in the past few months.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JodisCraftEmporium?ref=si_shop

What Is The True Definition of a Great Parent(s)?

This is the common question that always asked among us parents.  Am I being a good parent? Could I have done any better? What could I have done different? Etc. Etc. Etc.  I am one of those parents that always ask myself these questions at least once a week.  Being a parent is a very hard task but a very enjoyable one.  But let me back this up a bit.  What is a true definition as a great parent? I can tell you that the word perfect is no where near this definition.  Being a great parent is doing as much as you can for your child or children without the materialistic items to be involved. You cannot buy your child's happiness or good behavior. Some of us, including me, learned the hard way and try to change that child to understand that materialistic items won't make you that happy.  As a parent you can show them love, happiness, and compassion.  Being there when they need to talk, laughing at their jokes even though they are not that funny, dropping what you like to do or had to get done to do what your kiddos like to do.  Examples are coloring, reading, playing outside or inside, taking them to parks, watching movies at home together, camp out nights in your livingroom, etc. Just those simple things can make a very huge difference in your child or children's lives.

If you have more than one child its very hard to try to do everything you can for each of them. In the past I have learned to set aside times to do things with one child and my husband do things with the other and vice versa. I know that if you are a single parent that this is a little harder.  I once was a single parent and know how hard it was to do things with my little man and work three jobs to pay for things we needed.  But as long as you are there for them and not shove them off cuz you have more important things to do or only thinking of yourself then you are doing awesome. 

Just today I received a great compliment when I was getting my hair and eyebrows done. I was told that my boys (ages 11 and 5) are very well behaved and have amazing manners.  I was told by my hair dresser that my husband and I have done a really good job as parents.  Hearing something like that makes you feel amazing and great knowing that those questions are answered by one person's compliment.

Did You Ever................

Did you ever think about what you could do to bring in money over the summer? I have been thinking about it for a awhile now. This summer I put my foot down and I want to see if there is anything out there for people like me that don't make money over the summer. I personally love writing poems or anything from the heart. Writing keeps my mind working. Yes I do have my crafts that I work on but I don't sell much over the summer. I would love to get any information that could help me out for extra income.

Welcome To The Wonderful World of Jodi's Craft Emporium

Good morning everyone! My name is Jodi and I have owned Jodi's Craft Emporium for almost 4 years ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/JodisCraftEmporium ) . I currently crochet dishcloths, dishtowels, appliques, hats, etc. I absolutely love making these awesome items. I have been crafting since I was 14 years old and have done an array of crafts since. I started out on plastic canvas and then it moved to cross-stitch.

I am a 31 year old mother and have been married for almost 7 years to a wonderful man. I have two boys that I love so very much. My oldest is 10 years old and is extremely smart. He is Autistic with PDD-NOS. He was diagnosed 1 month before he turned 2 years old. He has made great strides and lots of improvements. He will be graduating from 5th grade this year. I am so very proud of him. My youngest is 5 years old and is a ball of energy. He loves playing outside and loves taking after his older brother. He loves to read and watch cartoons.

I am currently a 1:1 Teacher's Aide in our city's school district and have been there for 3 years. I love what I do and go home with a feeling of accomplishment knowing that I had a hand in helping a child(ren) with their educational needs.

I would like to welcome everyone here and will be keeping this updated daily. Have an awesome day.

Jodi Mallery

Jodi's Craft Emporium

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Jodis-Craft-Emporium/132513468082