Monday, December 31, 2012

Thought I'd share some of the feedback I've received over the past year or so from my Etsy shop.

Awesome packaging/swift delivery/great service!! Thank you!! AAAAA+++++

I really loved this when I saw it on Etsy. It's even better in person!! It just spoke to me and I'm so pleased with it. Thanks so much and thanks for the SUPER FAST shipping!

I'm in love with this postcard. It's adorable, and SO well done. It's perfect. Thanks so much, and I appreciate the quick shipping!

Wow. Just stunning, and packed with so much care. Thank you!

I love the postcards - they are just as pictured - beautifully made and very artistic! Thanks for the fast shipping and pretty packaging. Happy Holidays.

Makes me feel very proud!



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Very Thankful!

Just spent the last few hours in the ER with my 10 month old granddaughter.  She had a rash that kept getting worse and worse.  Thought it probably wasn't serious but just wanted to make sure.  She's just too precious to take a chance.


She didn't have strep so the doctor determined it was just a viral rash.

Very thankful! Her two older sisters have been very sick with the flu but fortunately she has not gotten it.

Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Want a Gift to Impress


I'm having a 15% off sale for cyber Monday in my Sew Upscale Shop.  Prices are already marked down so no need for a coupon code. It will last through tomorrow night.  

If you need a coworker gift, a boss gift, or hostess gift,  my one of a kind landscape 4" by 6" postcard art is what you need. Frame it in an inexpensive frame and you have a gift to impress.

Friday, November 2, 2012

New Listings

Mountain Cabin 
I have several new listings I want to share.  I haven't been listing as much on Etsy because I have been selling so many cards to brick and mortars.  That's a good thing but I do like Etsy because it gave me my start.

Camping in the Mountains

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains

When I started this blog, my focus was on travel.  Not that I travel extensively but there are so many unknown beautiful places to go within a few hundred miles of where I live.  I have since veered from that topic to other topics.  Today I'm going back to the travel idea.

My husband works for an agency called Advantage West.  In that position, he basically markets the area as an economic developer to locate jobs in the western 23 counties of North Carolina.  As a result he spends time in one of the most beautiful areas of North Carolina.  Soooo, he wanted to take me one section of this part of NC.  We visited the southwestern four counties in North Carolina, Clay, Graham, Cherokee and Swain. We had driven through the area but never really stopped and spent anytime there.

First stop-Franklin, NC



PUMPKINFEST was going on with a costume contest and a pumpkin roll.  Even without the festival, there are many stores and other things to explore in this little town. Hiking, rafting, and biking are major activities in this area.  Art and craft galleries are major attractions in Franklin. There is even a river walk.






A drive through the mountains took us to our next stop on our tour of Southwestern North Carolina.

 

Oh, first, we drove around beautiful Chatuge Lake and drove into Northern Georgia.


Hayesville, NC
Next town stop-  Hayesville, NC in Clay County  It was late in the day by the time we got there so there wasn't much going on but we enjoyed our walk around this cute little town.  The Nantahala National Forest takes up much of Clay County.  It is quite beautiful.  I'm going to continue this for another post.  There are so many good pictures to share.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Sewing and Craft Supplies

Been to church and now home.  Want to go walk or hike but looks like rain so maybe we'll play some WII games. My husband won't play bowling with me because I always win.  It's about the only thing I can win against him except Scrabble.  

I've made crafts and sewn all my life.  I'm a collector of all things sewing and crafting.   My liking for certain crafts comes and goes. 

Sooo, I have too much stuff I don't need and will never use.  What to do?  Sell them at a discount price so I can buy more of something else. I have a few items listed in my Sew Upscale Etsy shop such as---
Jiffy Waistband and
Vintage Tracing Wheel
Braid for Upholstery, Crafts and
Scrapbooking


Wreath Making and
 Flower Arranging  Supplies


                                         











       If you see anything you need or want to see more, Click HERE.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Etsy is a website for artists and crafters to sell their creations.  One aspect of Etsy are teams.  I am the "captain" of the Smoky Mountain Team.  Awhile back I offered to feature team members on my blog.  The first features is Second Spring Soaps.  She offers an appealing array of soaps, lip balms and crocheted washcloths.  Check her shop out here.

  

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
Well, for starters, my name is Milly! I am a wife, a mom of a sweet two year old boy, a student at ETSU, and I run a soap shop called SecondSpringSoaps. I was born and raised in a small town called Rogersville, TN, and I am so proud to be from Appalachia!

2. How did you get started making your soaps and lip balms?
I have always known about lye-based soaps. They are a staple in Appalachia. In fact, I remember using lye soap on my face as a teenager. I became interested in making my own soap when I was pregnant with my son after learning more and more about how chemicals can effect a gestating baby. I read and read about soap making, and finally began making it about two years ago. I started making lip balm about a year ago, and my recipe came after loads of trial and error, but I love it!

3. Explain a little about your process.
Soap making is all about measurements. I start off by using this soap calculator (http://www.soapcalc.net/calc/SoapCalcWP.asp) and double and triple checking my numbers before starting. I use the most high quality oils for my soaps, and if I use tallow, I render my own tallow from fresh suet. I make most of my soaps using the cold process method, which means that I combine my oils and lye/water and mix until they "trace", or become a consistency similar to pudding. The soap batter is then scented and dyed, and poured into a silicone mold.  After two or three days in the mold, the soap will be a hard loaf that can be cut into bars. The bars then cure for 6 weeks before being photographed and wrapped in cellophane.

4. How is your product different from others who make soap and lip balms? What is special about your product? 
Well, I love my soaps because I use lots of bright colors and fresh fragrances! I love color, and I love seeing all kinds of colors in soap. My soaps are scented with bright, fun fragrances, like Lumberjack or Green Irish Tweed, as well as classics like peppermint/tea tree or Lemongrass.  As for my lip balms, the recipe makes all the difference.After much tweaking and trial and error, I have created a fantastic lip balm recipe that is the perfect combination of a hard balm, but a smooth glide on the lips. The balm is made from three ingredients: beeswax, deodorized cocoa butter, and coconut oil, so there are no artificial preservatives. I have two distinct lines of lip balm in my Etsy shopthe first is a line of lip balms which are flavored with edible essential oils, such as grapefruit, peppermint, and clove. The second line of lip balms are made from man-made flavor oils, like cherries and berries, or creme de menthe. The two different lines give my customers loads of choices. And, in the near future, I will be debuting a new line of lip balms made with infused plant matter, like green tea-infused lip balm!

5. Do you sell your product anywhere else?
I love craft shows! Most recently, I was at the Appalachian Fair in Gray, TN, showing off my soap and helping to raise money for the Farm and Home Building. I will also be at the Heritage Days Festival in Rogersville, TN on the weekend of October 13. I am looking to do more craft shows as time goes on.

6. What are your other hobbies?
My son, my Etsy shop, and my schoolwork tends to keep me pretty busy, but I do have a few hobbies that I manage to squeeze into my day. :o ) I actually love to play video games! I also love to cook! I knit and crochet as well, and I hope to start a knitting project for my sister sometime in the near future.

7. Do your have a special saying or motto?
"Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die." -Buddha

8. What is important to you?
My family is the most important thing to me in the entire world. I love my husband and son more than anything in this world. I love music, a good novel and a cup of hot coffee, and a long walk in the park. I love color and art. And I love a long, hot, bubbly bath.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Here's a new listing in my shop--


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Hawaiian Flower

I received a message from Ki'ihele West a few days ago complimenting me on my postcards. She lives in Hawaii and told me I should come to Hawaii to see the beautiful scenery.  I would love to go but the circumstances have never been right.  I wrote her back and told her if she had some photos she wouldn't mind sharing, I would make a postcard.  Here is one result.  It is a beautiful flower called plumeria. I'm working on another scene of a waterfall.  I'll post it later.  Also, her webpage on Etsy is http://SewMeHawaii.etsy.com.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Fitness 4 Christ

We've decided to start a fitness group at my church, North Morganton United Methodist Church.  There are three of us organizing this group.  Everyone has been so busy this summer we haven't been able to do very much so far.  The plans are to share recipes and tips for making healthier eating choices .

Another main focus will be to organize walking groups to encourage one another to exercise on a regular basis.  Walking alone is okay sometimes but if you have someone to walk with, it makes you stick with the program.  The experts recommend a person exercise or walk 150 minutes per week to maintain a healthy heart. Do you get that much exercise every week? 

Friday, June 29, 2012

In addition to PayPal, Sew Upscale is now offering Direct Check Out on Etsy.  Instead of paying with PayPal, you can pay with your credit card on Etsy.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Better For You Pimento Cheese

I got away from my posts about healthy eating for awhile but thought I would post this.  I've never made pimento cheese but wanted to try to make a healthy version.  I used low fat grated cheddar cheese and some low fat grated mozzarella cheese. I added a little low fat cream cheese, some fat free Greek yogurt, a little low fat Ranch dressing, some low fat mayonnaise and about 3 teaspoons of diced pimentos. Added some pepper and mixed with a mixer.  My husband said it was the best pimento cheese he ever ate.  (Maybe he had to say that!)

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

So I've been into making beach scenes--

Wouldn't this look great in your beach house?


Monday, June 4, 2012

The local newspaper put an article in the newspaper about my Sew Upscale Quilted Postcards.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

In case you haven't visited Sew Upscale lately, I have added a vintage section, a destash supplies section, and I'm adding a children's hat line.  It will mostly be sun hats and baseball hats for baby girls and boys. So far, I only have 2 baby girl hats.  One is pink and the other one is purple.  They are both reversible.  

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

So what can I do with a quilted fabric postcard? 

1. Great teacher gift. 
2. Send to a shut in who needs cheering up.
3. Great boss gift.
4. Display on an easel.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Life is very different in the Johnson family.  There are 2 new grandbabies born 4 days apart.  One is a boy born on February 14 and a girl born on February 18.

This got me to thinking.  Why not make some cute handmade hats so here is my first listing for Sew Upscale.  Of course I had to make one for each grandchild first. I'll post the boy's cap in the next few days.

The model is precious but what do you think of the hat?


Tuesday, April 17, 2012



Do you want unique handmade personalized wedding party gifts? Chose a premade item from my shop or I can custom make.  Quilted fabric mini art quilts.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Great news!  I reached 401 sales!  Thanks to everyone who purchased, marketed, and cheered me on.

Monday, March 5, 2012

I'm almost to 400 sales so I'm upping the reward. Use coupon code bigdeal for 25% off anything in Sew Upscale.  These landscape postcards are "Forever Cards".  They can be sent as a card and when received, they are a gift that can be framed and kept forever.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

A Boy and a Girl

I had the most amazing week last week.  On Monday, 02-13-2012, I got a call from my middle son saying they were going to the hospital to have their baby.  My husband and I headed east.  They live about three hours from us.  Wade was born the next day on Valentine's Day.

On Friday, 02-17-2012,  my youngest son called to say they were going to the hospital the next morning to have their baby. They only live about 1/2 hour away. Addison was born on 02-18-2012. 

A boy and a girl all in the same week. They were supposed to be three weeks apart but are only four days apart.  I hope they will be best friends for life.   It would be so special to have a cousin born that close together in age.

After going 10 years with one granddaughter, I now have three wonderful grandchildren and two wonderful step-grandchildren.  

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Holiday Temptation

Here comes Valentine's Day and more temptation to eat too much and all the wrong things.  Why do people keep tempting me with unhealthy food?  Valentine's Day should be about your heart and keeping it healthy instead of eating all the wrong things such as steak, baked potatoes with butter and sour cream, desserts and candy.  Ask your better half to support your desire to eat healthy and take you for a walk or ice skating.  Treat him or her to a massage would be great. That's the best way to say "I Love You." 

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Lost Blackberry

Have you ever lost your phone.  It is very frustrating.  Well, I lost mine yesterday.  I'm thinking where did I put that thing?  Did I lay it down in the refrigerator, throw it in the trash? I looked everywhere.  Retraced my steps.  You see, I was out of town in a motel.  the only place I'd been was in the lobby area to eat breakfast and the exercise room. 

Asked at the front desk. No phone.  They called the number and it went straight to voice mail.  Whoever had it had turned it off or it had gone dead.  But I thought it was fully charged so I really thought someone had found it and just turned it off and kept it.

Went back to the room, emptied everything out.  No phone.  Emailed my husband at his meeting.  He didn't have it.

Went downstairs to the fitness center again.  The staff was having a meeting right in the middle of the hallway and the manager asked if anyone found a blackberry.  Someone had.  She found it in the fitness center and had put it in her office.  I'm so happy it was found but why didn't she just turn it in to the front desk?  It would have saved me a lot of anxiety.

I promise I'm going to get back to my healthy living tips. Or maybe this is one! When you travel, use the fitness center. Thirty minutes on the elliptical machine is a great workout. Just make sure your cell phone is in a pocket where it won't fall out!