March Project #2.....Birthday Cards

Three birthday cards I've made this month for family birthdays

**News Alert** I'm planning to open the ol' Etsy Shop this week. YAY!!

March Project #1.... My Wine Cork Board

As promised, I'm sharing my March craft projects with you. I won't necessarily be posting these in order of completion since some of them are birthday cards & I don't want the recipients to see the posted pics before they actually receive their card. So here is my 1st project:

My wine cork board that I began a year ago...... Yep, a year ago. I was going along pretty well with it when I ran out of corks with grapes on them. I had decided to place 2 of those corks in each row and I needed 18 more! So, that meant one thing......I needed to drink 18 bottles of wine. Little did I know that some of the bottles I'd be buying didn't have the grapes on them. Nope, they only had numbers printed on the sides. So, that of course meant I'd need to buy & drink more than 18 bottles of wine. Once my husband & I finally finished off 20 something bottles, we were in the midst of our move & my little project took a backseat. Last Friday night, however, I decided to finish it up at my neighbors house. We've been trying to scrapbook on Friday nights, but I decided I'd work on something else instead. It didn't take very long to complete it & it was quite easy to cut through the corks (easier than I remembered it being last year).

My incomplete cork board I began a year ago

Close-up of completed cork board

My cork board in the dining room. Not really sure where to put it. I actually wish I'd begun laying the corks with the frame horizontal, but in the old kitchen, I had a narrow spot of wall where it would hang perfectly like this. If it were horizontal now, I'd hang it above the wine glasses. So for now it sits & leans.

Where Has The Time Gone?

Time sure has slipped passed me. I can't believe it's been 7 months since my family & I moved from Connecticut to Hawaii (& since I've posted to my blog). The move out here went as smoothly as it could with a move of that distance. We love it here....the weather is just wonderful (besides the amount of rain we get where we're located), the views of the mountains & ocean are beautiful too. It's much different than New England & I have to say I'm glad we left before all of the winter snow storms that hit the east coast and the rest of the mainland.

Since I haven't posted in such a long time, my mind is oozing with things to chat about so bare with me while I ramble on........

The main reason my Etsy shop hasn't re-opened yet is because I haven't had much time to commit to it. I do however have several new goodies up my sleeve so stay tuned because I'll share them here first.

If you haven't noticed, (how could you not LOL) my blog has a new look as of yesterday. How do you like it? I love it! Although, I'd like the brown color of my text to be a very dark brown, but Blogger isn't giving me that option. If anyone out there is blogger savvy & can help a girl out, I'd appreciate it.
I'd like to create a new banner for my Etsy shop with this same style as my blog so be on the look-out for that.

In addition to ideas for my Etsy shop, I've been working on some projects for myself, family & friends. It's so fitting too because recently I found out that March is National Craft Month. I had no idea & had already planned to use this month to begin & actually finish (*gasp*) some projects. I'll be sharing pics of those projects here so keep your eyes peeled.

I think that covers most of what's been on my mind lately. I'll be posting again (before 7 months passes) and share my Etsy shop news as well as my projects I'm working on.
While you're here, leave a comment to say hi & let me know what you've all been up to. Have a wonderful weekend!

Just a Friendly Reminder

Thought I'd just post a reminder for anyone who may have missed my shop announcement. I'll be closing up my shop this Friday night (perhaps Saturday morning when I wake up) so that I can finish packing up my supplies, tools, inventory, etc.
Our movers will be here in less than 3 weeks to pack up everything, load it up and ship it off to Hawaii. It's hard to believe that in just a few short weeks we'll be on a tropical island!

I'm not listing anything new in my shop this week, but if you need more bakers twine than what you see listed, I'll be happy to list more for you. I'll try to keep at least one spool of each color listed at all times until I close up.
If all goes as planned, I'll mail out all orders by noon Saturday. Any remaining orders will be mailed Monday.

I'll re-open the shop sometime in September once we get settled in a little and will hopefully be able to start custom orders sometime in October. It'll all depend on how quickly I unpack and get organized!

Sunday Obsessions ~ Wooden Bobbins

I've returned for another installment of my "Sunday Obsessions". I've been very busy lately and neglecting the blog. Ooops!

This obsession began the same way as the tool box obsession. When I purchased the green tool box for my dad, I wanted to send something to my mom as well. I perused some wonderful Etsy shops and happened upon EmmyLucy. I found a set of four vintage sewing bobbins. Knowing what a talented seamstress my mom is and how much she loves antiques and vintage collectibles, I thought she'd like the bobbins to display in her sewing room. I purchased the set and when they arrived, I wanted to keep them. However, I knew better so I sent them off to my mom. Then I set off to find some of my own..........

I found these at LOVEABUG

There are actually 14 of them!

After I made that purchase, I kept searching for more
and found these lovelies at ReginasStudio

I'm definitely not finished buying these old wooden spindles/bobbins, but I've had to put all shopping on hold until after our big move to Hawaii. Once we get there, I'll begin purchasing more. What am I planning to do with these? Oh, I have plans.....the ideas are flowing so quickly, I need to start jotting them down and sketching out the projects. Don't worry, I'll share the projects as they're completed.

"Vintage Fun & Games" Treasury

Check out my latest treasury! It's a little bolder than what I usually curate, but I love it.
Click here to leave a comment before it expires Tuesday afternoon. While you're there, check out the shops featured. :-)

"My new favorite color...Aqua" Treasury

Here is my latest treasury! Lately I've been drawn to the beautiful shades of aqua. I'm not sure why since I'm a very "warm" color person, but I do find this to be a very calming color for me. It could be due to the fact that I'm anticipating our huge move from Connecticut to Hawaii next month. I could be thinking of spending the days relaxing on the beach. But, maybe somewhere subconsciously I know that I need to be surrounded by calming colors to ease the pressure of all the move-related stresses. Whatever the reason for me being drawn to this color, I wanted to share these aqua beauties with you all. Click here to view the treasury before it expires Saturday morning. While you're there check out the shops I've featured!

"Just some of my favorites" Treasury

Check out my latest treasury! I love the colors here (and the items). Click here to check out the treasury, leave a comment and visit the shops featured before it expires Wednesday night.

Made It To The Front Page!!

Thanks Etsy Admin for curating this front page treasury and including my mini faux bois cards.

It was up at 1am this morning, so I missed it. I haven't been able to find a screen shot of the actual front page at that time, however Craft Cult is an awesome website and has The Vault feature where we can see past front pages. I was at least able to get a screen shot from there.

Finally found the actual screen shot on the Fickr group page!

Sunday Obsessions ~ Gray Hair

I'm a day late in posting this since yesterday was extremely busy. I couldn't skip this week, however because I think that this is the most appropriate time to share this particular obsession.

Yesterday, June 14th, was my 35th birthday and as time goes on, I seem to find more and more gray hair. I'm extremely obsessed with plucking each one I find. I'll stand in front of the mirror at some point every day with tweezers in hand searching for that silvery sparkle. Isn't that just a terrible thing to be concerned with? LOL

Here are some pictures from yesterday~~~

Edible flowers from my in-laws

My husband's attempt at creating a 35 with candles
on the chocolate ganache cake

The youngest and me blowing out the candles

This is me with the 3 kids.
As you can see, the older 2 are taller than I am. lol

Sunday Obsessions ~ Vintage Tool Boxes

I've been thinking a lot about things I'm obsessed with (or very well could become obsessed with). I thought I'd start a weekly feature and share these obsessions (or near obsessions) with you.

Recently, I came across a vintage green tackle/tool box that I thought would be perfect for my dad to display with his vintage fishing reels or antique carpentry tools. So, I ordered it and when it was delivered, the gears started turning in my head and I thought, "I'd like to have one to help organize and store things in my work room."

My dad's tool box that I ordered from IdaOhio on Etsy

That thought is all it took for me to begin hunting down another one.....only in brown since green is not my color. I searched on Etsy and found the perfect brown vintage toolbox, marked it as a favorite and admired it just thinking how nice it would be to have. Why didn't I purchase it right away? I don't know, but I guess someone else was admiring it too because it was sold when I went back for it. At that point I became determined to find another brown tool box.

I set out on a quest and came across one at TheLovelys on Etsy. I snatched it up right away and defeated all those brown toolbox hunters out there. I was excited to have finally found myself a brown tool box to display and organize in my work room, but I also had a feeling that this wouldn't be my last brown tool box to purchase.

My brown tool box I purchased from TheLovelys on Etsy

Last Friday I sat down at my computer and searched again for yet another brown toolbox. And guess what I found. A beautiful vintage metal file box at yesstreen on Etsy. I immediately made the purchase and am impatiently awaiting its arrival. Yes, impatiently.

Here is a borrowed picture of the box from the listing

I will keep looking for more of these brown boxes and once we move this summer and I begin to settle into a new work room, I'll share more pictures of my collection in use.

Looking for a vintage tool box for yourself? There are several on Etsy. Check out these shops or even do a search of your own under "Vintage":
kewpiesfarmhouse
lisabretrostyle2
modishvintage
VintageEtc

Refreshing Lemonade Treasury

As we head into summer, I've been thinking of cool refreshing lemonade. I've curated a treasury with lemonade essentials and a couple other lemon yellow doo-dads. Click here to take a look and leave a comment before it expires Tuesday morning. While you're there, check out the shops I've featured. You'll find vintage treasures as well as yummy baked goodies and handmade must-haves.

A New Little Feature

I opened a new Etsy account called "Bird Haven Too" where I plan to expand a little and sell collage arts, a little bit of vintage and some vintage up-cycles. In the meantime, I'm using my "favorites" section of that account to create an Etsy Mini to feature some of my favorite items from other Etsy shops. This Etsy Mini will change from time to time (maybe weekly). Just scroll down a little and you'll see it on the right-hand side below my BirdHaven mini.

"June Sky" Treasury by Euphorianchic

Just want to thank euphorianchic for including my tiny dragonfly jewelry tags in this beautiful blue treasury. Feel free to stop by Etsy to view the treasury and leave a comment before it expires early Saturday morning.

Beautiful Bakers Twine from my Bird Haven shop

Because I love Bakers Twine so much and I know you do too, I've set aside a small quantity of these cute little sets to offer for the month of June at a special price (only while supplies last).

Normally, my sets like this are $9 for 60 yards of twine. However, my special this month is 80 yards for $10. You will receive 20 yards each of red, blue, green & brown bakers twine wrapped on vintage wooden thread spools enclosed in a small muslin bag with a cute bird image stamped on the front.

These little sets have been very popular in my Etsy shop. People have been buying them for gifts for friends as well as a little something special for themselves.

I also offer 50 yards of Bakers Twine wrapped on larger wooden thread spools. Stop by the shop and take a look.

Feel free to leave a comment here and share how you like to use bakers twine!

"my brown is blushing" Treasury by laughingchicken

Just sharing this beautiful pink and brown treasury that laughingchicken curated. Thanks for including my pink snail tags. Please stop by Etsy and leave a comment in the treasury before it expires Monday morning.

"Beach Days" Treasury by Rosannemade

Thank you, Rosannemade for including my sea shell gift tags in this beautiful beach treasury! I soooo very much want to spend a day at the beach right now. Seems like others do as well since this is the 2nd beach themed treasury that I'm in this weekend. :o)
Please stop by Etsy to see this treasury and leave a comment before it expires on Monday morning.

"Inspired by the Sea" Treasury by Luv2Have

Just wanted to share this beautiful treasury with you and thank Luv2Have for including my sand dollar tags. Don't you just want to visit the beach?
Please stop by Etsy and see the treasury in its full beauty by clicking here before it expires on Monday morning.

My Etsy Shop Sale Section!

Been doing a little cleaning up in my Etsy shop, BirdHaven lately! I've added some gift tags to the sale section. You can view the complete sale section by clicking here, but I've taken a screen shot of a nice variety of greeting cards and gift tags shown above. Help me clear out some shop inventory so that I can share some exciting new items with you!

Where the Sea Meets the Forest Treasury

Check out this beautiful treasury created by Thrush . She included my Mini Faux Bois cards. Thanks!!
To see the treasury in its full beauty and to check out the items and shops featured, please click here before the treasury expires early Friday morning.
Due to the 'treasury bug' there are only 11 items featured. ;o)

Dig For Victory Treasury by kittykent

Just wanted to thank kittykent for including my green bakers twine in her gardening treasury.
You can view the treasury on Etsy by clicking here before it expires Tuesday morning. Yeah, I'm a little late in posting this, so don't wait too long to view it!

Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day! Just wanted to blog really quickly today and show you this cute shirt that Angela from Dot the I made for my daughter. "Think Green" Perfect for Earth Day and everyday! This is my youngest, dressed and ready for school this morning.
What does "think green" mean to her?
☻turning off the lights
☻picking up trash
☻growing things
☻keeping the Earth clean

So what are you doing for Earth Day? Feel free to leave a comment and share!

"In The Garden" Treasury

Here is my latest treasury on Treasury West, inspired by Spring, Earth Day and the warm weather we've experienced lately in the North East. Please take a look, leave a comment and check out the featured shops before it expires on Wednesday afternoon. Just click here. Enjoy!!

"Lets...Be...Green" Treasury

Earth Day is coming up in a few days (April 22nd) and I thought I'd create a treasury of useful and fun items that we can use daily to help keep our Earth clean and uncluttered from all the trash filling the landfills. Check out the treasury by clicking here and feel free to browse the shops whose items I've featured here for more wonderful products. Etsy is full of shops whose owners make awesome, useful and fun things by recycling, upcycling and repurposing all those bits and pieces that would otherwise end up in the landfill or recycling bin.
Check out this treasury and leave a comment before it expires on Monday morning.

"Naturally I Do" Treasury by PixieButtercup

Happy Saturday, Everyone! I'd like to thank Pixie Buttercup for featuring my Faux Bois gift tags in her beautiful treasury. Please check it out on the Etsy website and leave a comment before it expires on Tuesday morning. Click here to view the treasury on Etsy.

Feature on Cuteable

Just wanted to thank Lynsey of Cuteable for featuring my little pink snail tags on her website today! Check out her website as well as the other shops that she featured.

Feathers and Faux Bois Treasury by TamaraDesigns

I would like to thank Tamara of TamaraDesigns for including my little muslin bag of bakers twine spools in this beautiful treasury. Please check out the treasury in its full size by clicking here. The treasury will expire on Tuesday afternoon.

Clearance Section & Free Gifts!!

So, I really, really want to clear out my individual cards from my shop to make room for new, exciting items. I've decided to give 4 free gift tags with any purchase from my sale section The tags will be randomly selected from my excess stock, however if you'd like to make a request, you may do so in the 'message to seller' during checkout. I will try to accommodate your request. I've reduced some of the prices a little more as well from their original 20% off. Shipping has also been reduced . If you purchase a card with another item, you'll only be charged 10 cents shipping for the card. Check out the sale section and Buy a handmade card at a great price, receive 4 free gift tags and save on shipping when you purchase multiple items!

Made It To The Front Page!!

Here is a Big THANK YOU to Etsy Admin for curating this lovely treasury and including my bakers twine along with these other beautiful items. I have to say I missed the whole thing! I noticed an increase in shop views and hearts and starting searching for the reason. I am very thankful to the Flickr group for keeping up with the front page treasuries and taking all the screen shots for the Etsy shop owners. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Last Day to Receive FREE Faux Bois Gift tags!!

Hello Everyone!! This is just a quick reminder that today is the last day to receive 6 FREE Brown Faux Bois Gift Tags with every purchase! Also, don't forget to check out my sale section of individual cards. See post below for more details. Have a wonderful day!!

20% OFF Sale On My Individual Cards

I've decided to mark all of my individual cards down by 20%. One reason is that we are moving from Connecticut to Hawaii this Summer and I'd like to clear out some of my inventory. The other reason is because I want to bring new styles and designs of cards to my Etsy shop as well as new product lines. It's just time for some Spring cleaning!! These individual cards as well as a few others in my "SALE Section" will be on sale until they are gone! I am still offering the Free Faux Bois gift tags with every purchase thru Friday, March 13th. What a deal.....cards on sale and free gift tags!! Please visit my Etsy Shop by clicking here . Have a wonderful day!!

I'm Extending the FREE Gift Offer!!

I know how much everyone loves the faux bois gift tags and I was a little late announcing the free offer on Saturday morning, so I have decided to extend the offer of 6 FREE Brown Faux Bois gift tags with any purchase made at my Etsy shop now thru Friday, March 13th!!

FREE Faux Bois Gift Tags with Every Purchase This Weekend Only

Purchase any item from my Etsy shop, Bird Haven Greetings & Gifts, on Saturday or Sunday (3/8 & 3/9) and you will receive 6 Brown Faux Bois Gift Tags!!

{ Easter Subtlety } Treasury

Here is my latest treasury on Treasury West. I wanted to create an Easter treasury, but didn't want to use the typical pastel palette. There's something about these colors that just spoke to me.

Please check it out before it expires on Saturday afternoon.

Feature on Cuteable

Thank you to Lynsey of Cuteable for featuring my Spring Chick Tags on her website Monday!

Nests Treasury

I'd also like to share my Nest treasury with you that's over on Treasury West. Please visit it on Etsy and leave a comment & click to make it hotter. It will expire Monday afternoon.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=44155

A little Pink and a little Blue Treasury

YAY! Once again I was able to get a treasury. Please click the link below to view it on Etsy. Be sure to click each item and leave a comment to make it 'hotter'. It will expire Monday afternoon.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=40972

YIPEE!! Front Page of Etsy!!

Thank you to stylinstuff for including my little birdy twine set in her treasury! This is such a beautiful treasury and absolutely Front Page worthy!

Pounced Upon Beauties

So here is my latest treasury on Treasury West. I found these lovely shops through Pounce. A feature on Etsy where you can search for shops that are new and undiscovered or for shops that have just made a sale. I chose these new shops in hopes to give them more exposure! Please visit the treasury on Etsy to give them some love and make our treasury hotter!
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=43525

Shades of Brown Treasuy

Here is my treasury that I got today on T West. Brown is my favorite color and I could not resist featuring these lovely items! Please check it out in its full size here:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=42639

The Birdie Treasury by Caronruse

Just wanted to thank Caronruse for including my birdy tags in her treasury! Please take a look at her treasury before it expires on Wednesday.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38762

TREES Treasuy

Here is a picture of my first treasury that I created on Etsy! I can't believe how many times I actually saw the treasury open and never even tried to get one. Crazy, I know, but I just never really had the time to search through all the fabulous things on Etsy and pick out ONLY TWELVE items. It's nearly impossible! However, today I decided I was going to create one no matter how long it took! So here it is. You can view the actual treasury on Etsy by following this link, but only before it expires. http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38468

Long Time, No See!!

Well, it's only been 5 months since I created this blog and posted on it. heehee

I plan to blog at least once a week now, so bear with me. I'll do my best. We've been very busy lately preparing for the upcoming move from CT to Hawaii. I'm juggling household/family things along with my Etsy shop. I had planned to take a slightly different direction to my product offerings, but time has not been my friend. I am, however, keeping a notebook of all of my ideas and trying to keep my supplies organized so that I can create when I get a little bit of time. I'm REALLY hoping that the big move won't put too much of a crimp in my Etsy Time.

Follow along if you have time!