Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Toad Whispering

Living in the woods, we have a lot of toads around our house. They are all over and I have a blast watching them. It is almost mesmerizing! But each time I sit and watch them, I learn a little bit more about them.




Last night, I took my camera out with me while they were feasting on our latest dish soap ant outbreak. I say dishsoap ants because when you disturb the ants, they smell like dish soap. Very strange and their color is nothing I have seen before moving to North Carolina.




I learned that I had built a toad haven by accident. I have been working for the last year on building a native garden and it includes a lot of moss and native plants. I found this guy hiding under a patch of what I call carpet moss. The moss is so soft it feels like you are walking on carpet! But now I don't know if I can ever step on a patch of moss again without worrying I could be stepping on a toad in hiding.




And for the strange thing I learned. I keep seeing these weird things out front. I thought maybe a seed pod or something? I had no clue until I saw this one doing its 'duties' and realized I have been seeing toad turds. Not that I enjoy seeing animals do their 'duty' but I was amazed at how large of a 'duty' a small critter can have.




Come check out my entire collection of Toad Whispering photographs!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Dawn takes poison oak out of your way

We all know that Dawn takes grease out of your way. Many may know it is used to clean animals that fall victim to nasty oil spills. But did you know it can take the oils of poison oak off your skin?

Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac all contain the same irritating oil called urushiol. This oil bonds to the skin and can create a horrible rash, depending on how sensitive you are to the oils. Some reactions can be so serious that a person has to see a doctor for treatments.

Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora:
Field office guide to plant species
. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth.
Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute.


A few weeks ago I was clearing an area that was over grown with small tree saplings and the invasive English ivy. Little did I know there was a ton of poison oak vines mixed in but it was still very young and hidden amongst the English ivy. A few days later, I started breaking out, horribly. I had rashes scattered about from my ears to my ankles. And did it ever itch and burn!

I was recommended to find mullein as it is considered nature's eraser for poison oak. It worked! But only for several hours then the itching came back. I am pretty confident I have taken the leaves from all the mullein I can find, mashed them between my fingers, and rubbed every last leaf on the poison oak. When I ran out of mullein, I started itching again.

At our local pharmacy, there were all kinds of fancy, high priced, small quantity soaps that said they would remove the oils from your skin at any point after contact with poison oak. Hmmm... Dawn takes grease out of your way and is cheaper. I will take a big bottle of Dawn for $3.50 Alex!

So I came home, lathered up and waited. The itching stopped pretty quick. Now, I can not say it was all fine and dandy. The itch and burn from the poison oak was gone and the rash was reducing quite nicely and rapidly. However, I am allergic to something in the Dawn so I had a bit more itching. But it was nothing like the itch from the poison oak. Just a mild irritation.

One thing to remember, Dawn breaks up grease & oils. This includes the oils your body produces naturally to keep your skin healthy. So after a good lather and rinse, make sure you lotion up really well to replace the moisture and some of the oils that the Dawn just stripped from your skin. I promise, you will thank me for this tip.

So there you have it. Dawn takes poison oak out of your way!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Friend & Etsy Shop Owner

The owner of tutucrafts has become a great friend. We both live in a world dominated by testosterone. We are both married, and we both have boys. So, we sat down and took a little time for us girls and started chatting about her. She is truly wonderful & I would love to let you get to know a little about her.


Tell me just a little about yourself

I am on the back end of my 30’s sliding into 40 in a couple of years. Currently getting ready to include school back into my already busy schedule and hope to have my Masters in Psychology by the time I am 41 (late bloomer, but at least I will bloom). I have never had a hobby in my life and I have always dreamed of being an artist. I didn’t start crafting until two years ago this coming April. Well, except for work, that was a hobby. Of course, I had to find a business connection with crafting and after a few tries, I found out about Etsy. It has been a lot of fun! It allows me to craft and do what I love but marry the business side beautifully without losing my hobby. I am married to the love of my life, and I have amazing boys ages 11 and 3. We just adopted a cat named Rocky (8 months old), I still can’t figure out if he likes me or not.


Tell me about one totally awesome place you have travelled and why you picked this place. What intrigues you by it? What are the forces that pulled you there?

Oh, this is an easy one. Turkey! The cradle of civilization. The history, the beauty, the people are amazing! I am Turkish so of course there is the natural connection, but Turkey is so much more than that to me. Everyone that has ever visited I know has fallen in love. There are no words to describe the magic. I feel blessed that my husband is also Turkish so that really takes the magic to the next level. I would love to retire and have a stylish yet comfortable inn in Bodrum someday with my husband.


Before your Etsy shop, what did you do?

I am the Marketing Director for Plus Model Magazine. I have been in Marketing for 18 years and e-commerce for the past 8. I am a former working Plus Size Model and working with the magazine is the perfect marriage. Before my current position and Etsy, I had my own marketing and video production company, media buyer & seller, television, a heavy dose of e-commerce with a rich history and the national spokeswoman for a women’s organization. Life happened as it often does and our lives got flipped upside down. I realized I was missing out on my kids and life and working 20 hours a day for everyone else wasn’t making me happy. It is never fun to lose but as the famous quote goes, “It isn’t how far you fall, but how high you bounce”. The past year especially has been about getting outside of my box (even though I thought I lived my business life outside of the box). After losing it all I have been on this very bumpy path of self-discovery with some success and many unsuccessful attempts. I realize now that I have the opportunity to do what I love and the brand label in the back of my jeans means little to nothing to me anymore. I think this may have been more of a therapeutic answer.


How did you get started with your shop?

I created my shop in Etsy several months ago and didn’t have the time to really get involved. I turned a relative onto Etsy to encourage her to start her own business as she admired the one I did from home. In turn, it encouraged me to get active with my Etsy store… the first step is always hard because did I really think that people would like my creations enough to buy them? I have been pleasantly surprised. It really makes me feel amazing when someone features my item in a treasury or buys an item. So now I have two shops, TutuCrafts and DigitalDlite for my digital downloads.


Where would you like your shop to be in 5 years?

All my life I have had a one, five, 10 year plan. I knew exactly where my life was going and how “successful” I was going to be at it. Life happens and now I am living somewhere in “the bounce”… I want to just enjoy this experience and see where it takes me. I love the organic feel. It is like having a small cottage boutique in a Summer seaport village somewhere where people browse and on occasion buy something they like. Would I like for it to replace my income or create an income someday in the future? Of course I would, but for now Etsy is my creative outlet and It’s mine. I feel really good about that.


I hope that you have enjoyed getting to know a little more about my friend. She is a very sweet thing.

You can find her on the web:
Tutu Crafts: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tutucrafts
Digital Dlite: http://www.etsy.com/shop/DigitalDlite
Blog: http://www.blog.tutucrafts.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/tutucrafts

Monday, January 10, 2011

The Gnomes Hunkered Down

I went out around 1:00 this morning, shortly after the snow started to check on the gnomes. The lights were off and it appears they were tucked snugly in their beds as a blanket of snow covered their house.




This is the gnome house about an hour later. Man, it piles up fast!




My two boys and I built this gnome house last summer for the little gnomes that live in our native moss garden.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

As the snow approaches...

As I sit here with a slight chill in the air, I start thinking about the snow that is slowly coming our way. I expect it will be white when I wake in the morning and more snow piling up. Just so happens are are in the area that is to be hardest hit from this storm. E-gads!

That means today was the last trip to town for a few days, at least. Glad I stocked up. It was cold but a nice sunny drive to the grocery store, with no mention of snow in the sky. But, a quick check of the local radar and snow is knocking at the door.

So, tomorrow and Tuesday I will be out getting great snow photos! I won't be able to get very far from home as I will be limited to foot travel only. But living here, I don't need to go far from home to find beautiful photographs.

See what I found last year? Maybe I can beat these over the next 2 days!


Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wednesday Friendsday: Link up your Twitter page for more friends & followers!

Creative Cabin is happy to host Wednesday Friendsday - Twitter Style!

Twitter is a great way to meet knew people by building loyal followers & contacts.

Wednesday Friendsday is a great way to meet new tweeters and gain more twitter followers for your business!

The rules are simple:

  • Follow my blog. 
  • Add the URL (link) of your Twitter account to the list below. 
  • Follow as many fellow sellers and teammates as you wish.  
  • Send them an @ message to let them know you found them here!
  • That's it! Thanks so much for stopping by and helping us help and support you!

Each week I will be hosting a Wednesday Friendsday so come back next week to link up for a round of Wednesday Friendsday Twitter Style!

As a proud leader of Team Discovery, I will be complimenting their Wednesday Friendsay. This week Team Discovery is hosting Wednesday Friendsday Blog Style! So join the fun there as well to gain more blog followers & find interesting blogs you would like to follow!


Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Tempt Me Tuesday Link Party!

It's Tuesday here at Creative Cabin! I am hoping to keep this going every week and help spread the love for all of our products! If you're a seller, it's time to tempt everyone with your items. Show us what you've go

The rules are oh so simple!
  • Follow my blog
  • Link up to 3 of the items you are selling below by adding the direct URL to your item.
  • For the name, use the name of your item, not your personal name. You may include the price, too, if you like.
  • Spread the word!
  • Mark your calendars and come back next Tuesday!
  • That's it! Simple, right? And fun!
If you add a link, please leave me a comment so we know you stopped by. Help us get the word out about this party by tweeting, blogging, linking, shouting it from the rooftops. Just any number of ways we can help each other get the word out and have fun at the same time! Because when we network and support each other, we all win!



Sunday, December 5, 2010

Mother Nature is being kind to us

This past January, an ice storm hit Western NC and we were so lucky that none of the breaking branches hit the house or vehicles. Mother Nature gave me some wonderful photographs though!

Last night the wind was howling and we kept hearing things hit the house. Went out this morning and nothing was damaged so it must have been small twigs and branches falling. Whew!

Mother nature sure can be fierce but so far, she has been careful to keep us safe.

Here is just one of the many beautiful scenes we saw after the ice storm back in January. Hopefully we will see some snow this winter so I can share many more of these beautiful scenes with you!


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Enter to win this beautiful antique brass necklace!

This is such a beautiful necklace! Good luck to all that enter!




This beautiful necklace was handmade by LaurenBlytheDesigns.

To enter the giveaway, click here!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Printing Shipping Labels thru PayPal

Shipping from PayPal is not only easy but also saves you a little money on postage.

You will need a printer and either white paper or shipping labels that will run through your printer. You will also need a scale to weigh your envelope/package. A kitchen scale that weighs in pounds and ounces will work just fine. You do not need a postage specific scale.

Log into PayPal

Find the transaction in the list. There should be a print shipping label button next to it. Click the button.

PayPal will auto fill the address. Compare that to the address from Etsy & decide which to use or contact the buyer to verify the correct address.




If you are shipping from a different zip code than the one listed for the return address, check the button next to Origination Zip Code - Other and enter the address of the post office you will be using. Not doing this can result in refusal of your package at the counter. So not fun!

You will see Carrier U.S. Postal Service Choose a different carrier

If you want to use UPS instead, you may change the shipping carrier by choosing a different carrier.

Most will be using U.S. Postal Service so this tutorial will focus on using the post office.

Select the method you want to use.

You will be given a variety of package options depending on the shipping method chosen.

Remember, to use any Flat Rate service, you must have the coordinating Flat Rate box or envelope provided free by the post office. If you use your own packaging, you can choose any option that does not say Flat Rate next to it.

Enter the weight in pounds and ounces of your package. If you have a portion of an ounce, always round up. No one likes it returned for lack of postage or delivered with postage due.

Select the date which you will be dropping your package in the mail. Your package may be refused at the postal counter if you do not have the correct date. Again, not fun at all.

Choose any other options you want included such as delivery confirmation, return receipt, etc.

Now if you want a short note to the buyer, maybe a quick thank you, include it here.

Click Continue to review your postage request. You will not be charged at this point.

If everything is correct, click Pay & Continue. If not, edit the details that are not correct.

After clicking Pay & Continue a box should pop up for you to print the label. You can print a sample if you are unsure how to load labels into your printer. Once you are happy, click Print Label.

Do NOT click OK on the box that pops up until you have reviewed the printed label.

If your label printed correctly, click OK on the pop up asking such.

If your label did not print correctly, due to wrong label orientation, paper jam, etc, click Cancel and you can reprint the label.

If you need to reprint a label for any reason, simply go to the transaction and click details. Then at the bottom there is a reprint label option for a short period of time. 72 hrs???

If you used paper, tape the label using clear tape to the box. Do NOT put tape over the barcode that is used for delivery confirmation.

PayPal will email the buyer letting them know that their package is on the way!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Some days I amaze myself

I am sitting here listing several photographs that myself or my darling husband have taken over the last 2 years of hiking through the woods. We live in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina. We always take our Nikon D80 with us, no matter were we are headed. Why? We never know what we might find to take a picture of.

Well, we have been hording these beautiful photographs on our computer. But why? I got the wild hair the other day that I would list them and try to sell the prints. Hmmm... just a few days later and I have already sold a print! And there are so many more we have been hording that I will be listing to share with the world.

So what is my point? The point is that these are really beautiful photographs. Photographs that can not be duplicated ever again. Nature never gives us the same shot twice. These are once in a lifetime views that we have found! Yet I never thought to share them with anyone but myself.

I have been making crafts, which I like to do, as a hobby. Yet those have mostly horrible (in my book), photos. I can not stage a photo to save my life. Yet we both have a knack for finding those perfectly staged, naturally staged photographs.

Take my advice, if something is not working for you, you find yourself fighting to make a go of it, keep it as a hobby and move onto something that comes more natural for you. Use the resources around you. Don't go looking for resources that are not there.

Don't think for a minute I did this all on my own. I have to thank the wonderful Team Discovery members for giving me that little kick in the pants that I needed. Not only were they supportive but also have been so wonderful with their compliments of our talent.

For all the hours I have spent fussing over staged photos with no good luck, I have had all these beauties hiding in plain site. Boy, I feel sheepish!

















Monday, November 15, 2010

My evil little cat!

One would think that an 8 lb cat could not do much harm. WRONG! I got up to get a glass of water and find the "queen" in my chair. Where she came from is beyond me b/c I saw no sign of her. So I scooped her up and sat her in my lap. She got all comfy & cute. Out came the camera.

She totally HATES the camera and decided it was time that I learn to not pull out the camera. Enjoy!


The new & improved game of cat & mouse!




Hey! That is MY mouse!




You don't REALLY need that thumb, do you?




Give me that darn camera! I don't want my picture taken!!!




Let this be a reminder that I don't like the camera!




But you know you love me!




 

Enter to win a free candle cover!

I am giving away a free candle cover to one lucky winner. Team Discovery is hosting the give away for me. To enter, simply visit their blog.

This is the candle cover I am giving away. It is sage green & ivory speckled, made out of 100% cotton, and is 4" tall.

You learn more about the candle cover here.

I am more than happy to make the candle cover any size you like. Just let me know what size you are looking for!








Sunday, November 14, 2010

Team Discovery Giveaway - Watercolor Cowl from ImpossiblyAlice!

Team Discovery is dedicated to promoting new shops and undiscovered sellers. One of the ways we do that is by hosting giveaways for them!

To enter, go here for rules & information.

The item we're offering today is a watercolor cowl handmade by Etsy seller and team member, ImpossiblyAlice.

70% virgin wool and 30% acrylic and is valued at $55!

Here is the cowl one of you will win:





Tuesday, November 2, 2010

My best photograph yet!

I am just super excited about the first image in this keychain listing! Yesterday I took over 200 photographs, adjusting camera settings and playing with where to take the photo the whole time. This was one of the last few I took and it is just too awesome!

I love the angle of it. The colors came out perfect. The background texture & color is just great. All I had to do was crop it and upload it. NO photo editing on this one! WOOHOO!!!

It is funny now that I think back to how I got this photo. I had the hubby's Nikon D80 sitting on a tripod. The ground is not level where I took the photo so I had legs all extended to different lengths and at different angles. It was staying put but I can not say the tripod was stable. I was outside and the sun was shining bright so I had to come up with a shadow so I used myself to block the direct sunlight. So much for holding the camera. Then I had to figure out how to push the shutter button w/o shaking the camera or knocking it over since I forgot the remote shutter button in the house.

All this after I had to leave the camera sitting in the lane to run in and grab the memory card I forgot inside. I have decided to name this photo the "Oh dear God, don't let the camera fall and hit the rock walkway!" because that is exactly what I was thinking when I took this photo!

After I kick this soft, warm, fuzzy, sleeping cat off my lap, I will head out for a long, brisk walk with the neighbor. When I come home, I am aiming for another great day of photographing and hopefully I will not need to take as many photos to get good ones this time!


Monday, October 25, 2010

Twist your candles into a cozy place!

I just can not quit loving my candle covers. They are just the neatest thing I have come up with. I have been to many PartyLite candle parties and the biggest complaint was keeping the dust off of candles between uses. I too have always had that problem.

I recently bought 2 new white pillar candles. Yes, white. The worst color in the world to keep clean but they are my "storm candles" for when the power goes out and the white ones just give off the most light. After a power outage and my new candles burned with a little dip in the top, I started to panic. I did not want to put them away.

Stumbling to get them out of a cabinet in the dark is not fun. I had just made some crochet coasters and that is when I wondered about making a cover. A few tries for the right size and it was done! I have beautiful covers for my candles now. And these covers work. I have had them on my candles for over a month and no dust has formed! WOOHOO!

So now I would like to share my creation with you!

This is my twisted cozy candle cover series. There will be more twists to come. These are great for those who like a little twist in their decor.










Saturday, October 23, 2010

Team Discovery is hosting a giveaway!!!

Team Discovery is dedicated to promoting new shops and undiscovered sellers. One of the ways we do that is by hosting giveaways for them!


The item we're offering today is a peruvian calcite necklace handmade by Etsy seller and team member, ValerieKStudio.
This necklace features a peruvian calcite briolette on a gold filled chain. 17" long.


Here is the necklace one of you will win:








To enter, please visit the Team Discovery blog for more info on this and other giveaways currently going on!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Creative Cabin is Open!

Come check out my shop! It is finally open and I am so proud to show off my latest creation of the cozy Candle Covers!






Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Still Setting Up Shop

Well, here it is. The new blog for my new shop! Don't worry, it won't look like this for too long. I just need to get my logo done, photos done, the shop set up, the blog design done, and photos taken! Photos. Eek. Spent over 3 hours yesterday trying to find the right light but more so the right staging for my soon to be released creations!

Not much to visit but here I am on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/people/creativecabin131

Hope to see you all around Team Discovery & beyond!