Is it really almost April???

I guess you could say that SPRING officially kicks of my Show Season. So here's a sneak peek at some of the fun things that I have planned for April.

On Saturday, April 2, I will be in Snohomish helping Timi and Annie celebrate the

Grand Opening of Ruffles and Rust Square,

a new antique, vintage fun place to shop. I'll have lots of new items for

Spring, Summer, Wedding Season . . .

I have to say that R & R Square is a completely unique shopping experience. Timi and Annie handpicked the vendors who have set up their spaces. Absolutely wonderful eye candy. I love this vendor - the perfect display of garden delights!

Then on April 8-10, I take a break from business to go over to

Washington State University

to visit my son for my final Mom's Weekend. Seems like yesterday that he became a student there, and now he's about to graduate. The highlight of the weekend will be a concert by none other than

Colbie Caillat and Lee

(last years American Idol winner - and yes, I know his last name, just can't spell it and didn't want to completely mess it up by trying ;). This is huge for Kellan to go to this concert, so he is totally racking up the Mom points. I can't wait to spend these few days with Kellan, take some photos of he and I in his cap and gown in front of Martin Stadium and the Cougar. My friend Pam and I will indulge in a bit of retail therapy while we are there, and I'll get to stop in and see one of my customers at Prune Orchard.

And then on April 16, I'll be heading up north to Anacortes for the

Island Chicks Show.

I'll get to see so many of my friends as we put on a show Island style.

In between all of that, there's a bunch of new stores that will be carrying

Tippy Stockton Jewelry. Welcome Aboard . . .

The Mad Cow (Spokane)

Louie Permelia (Bellevue Square and Redmond)

Camelion (Ballard)

Queen Anne Dispatch (Seattle)

Save the Date

Okay girls . . . you know me. I love to have a plan. So I'm here to tell you that I WILL be going to The Creative Connection Event in Minneapolis this coming September. Not only is this show going to be bigger and better, it's going to be a big CELEBRATION. Last years event was so amazing. I hope you can make it. Do you have questions??? Send me a note. I had the time of my life and made so many new friends. Save your pennies; you still have time. I can't wait.

Signs of Spring . . .

At 4:21pm PST, Spring ARRIVED!!! Can we all give a proverbial sigh of relief? My oh my, that was a long Winter. So many things to look forward to this Spring. But some of my most favorite signs of Spring are featured right here . . .

Tulips, any color, any shape. Hands down, my favorite flower!


These sweet things are a close second . . . Muscari!

Wishing I could be strolling through

Central Park in New York City.

Sweet birds outside my window . . .

and finally, new inspiration over at www.tippystockton.com.

Here's to all things Spring.

Prayers for Abbey

This is a difficult post to write, but I hope in some way that it will touch you like it has touched me. Today, I'm asking you to spend a few minutes and say a prayer for Abbey.

Here is Abbey's story: A week or so before Valentine's Day, I was contacted by a woman named Lori. She was interested in purchasing the necklace featured above, The Devotion Necklace. Lori wanted to have the necklace as a rememberance of her beloved son, Caleb. Caleb passed away just two weeks after he was born. Since I had sold this necklace a couple of times over, I merely pulled another heart out of my pile, made the necklace and sent it off. When Lori received the necklace she was awed by the fact that the ephemera had a #4 and a #2 imprinted on the paper under the resin. The #2 symbolized two children, the #4 for her daughter Abbey's birthdate. Needless to say, I was elated that she loved the necklace and this little bauble had given her such joy when she has lived with such despair since her tiny son passed away.

Fast forward to this morning. I received a note from Lori letting me know that she wanted to purchase another necklace - this time for Abbey her 9 year old daughter. Like most little girls, Abbey loves pink, so the necklace will be the same, but with pink beads. And then came the worst possible news. I don't know Lori, only as a customer and someone who poured her heart out to me about her baby boy. The news today from Lori made me really ponder what faith means. You see, Lori's only child, sweet Abbey, the child that was given to this family after another was taken away was diagnosed with Leukemia. How is it possible that God could do this to this family. My faith tells me that God is All, see's all and will take care of everything. But will He? I have to believe that God will heal Abbey and make her stronger, and that He will give her parents the courage and strength to take care of Abbey and themselves.

I am asking, really begging for you to spend a few moments and wrap your faith around these people and pray for Abbey's recovery. As a Catholic, I have decided to make my Lenten offerings in prayers for Abbey. I hope that you can find the time to say some prayers for this family.

I'm humbled that my jewelry affected someone like Lori in this way. I hope that someday soon I will have great news to share that Abbey is healed and running and playing as 9 year old should.

Thank you for reading this and as always, blessings to you!

They need OUR Help!

As you are all aware, Japan was rocked by the largest earthquake in 120 years last Friday. While I haven't been in touch with many of my Fuji Xerox friends in many years, I can tell you that even though they are strong people, they need our help. The Japanese people are amazing - always smiling, always a twinkle in their eyes. They are very humble and would probably cringe at the thought that they need help, but they do.

What can I do? Well, just as I did when Haiti was struck by an earthquake last year, I will be donating 25% of my proceeds until the end of the month to The RED CROSS. I've selected the Red Cross because they were so incredibly amazing to my family after 9/11; offering to donate airfares for all of us to attend my cousin Dennis' funeral. While we didn't take them up on it, it was wonderful to know that they were willing to help people less fortunate than us.

You don't need to do a thing; when you make your purchase, 25% of that will be directly donated through PayPal. (Not valid on coupon sales please). Thank you for your generosity. Japan has always helped us in our hour of need; let's give something back and get Japan restored to the beautiful country it once was!

PINKED . . .

You've all heard about people being "PUNKED", well today I'm pinking you! I have to say, and I'm really trying hard not to whine, but I am just plain sick and tired of the cold, rain, and wind! ENOUGH ALREADY . . . I want to start dreaming about my beautiful peonies, wedding season, Spring, Summer, evenings on the deck under starry skies. So I hope this post gets you thinking PINK. I'm loving the new pink items in my shop today. Why don't you go take a look, and don't forget to get in on my Anniversary Savings with the great coupon I'm offering until 3/25/11. Use coupon code: ANNIVERSARY20 and receive 20% off your entire order. http://www.tippystockton.com/.

Forgiveness

Last night, I attended the pre-dinner for the

Dream Girls Weekend.

What a hoot! I had been out all day and really didn't have time to prepare a "get-up" for the Hillbilly theme that was going on. It was okay though, as the girls who did dress up, more than made up for me being in my jeans and sweater.

It really was a special evening; a gathering of women who all have a common interest. Art, fun, and a good time. I was introduced to people who I have only known through blogging or Facebook. So I was so excited when I finally got to meet Jeanne Oliver in person. I had heard from many of my friends what an awesome photographer, artist and just a geniunely nice person she is. And guess what, she really is nice. One of her most recent art pieces really made me ponder things about my life in recent months. It was about forgiveness. I remember when my Mom was alive, she would say to me that it was a lot easier to forgive than to carry that burden around on your shoulders. While it sometimes difficult to put those feelings aside, I have decided to let it go.

I choose forgiveness!

I'm off for a Dreamy Weekend

I remember last year as I was getting my feet wet with Tippy Stockton, I came across some pictures from a Girl's Weekend that was held by my friend

Tiffany, The Fancy Farmgirl.

It was called Dream Girls Weekend.

A group of like-minded, artsy, fun and giggly girls get together and spend the weekend crafting fun things, all the while laughing their way through the day. I also remember thinking that I would love to go for so many reasons. To be around this group of women would be the bees knees. Secondly, to be taught how to solder by none other than Terri Brush, well that would be something. So when sweet Tiffany invited me to attend this year, I was thrilled beyond words. Unfortunately, I will only be attending the Sunday session - soldering a friendship bracelet. YAY! I can't wait. Check back next week when I post pictures and details of this lovely weekend.

Here's a few photos from last years event! Doesn't it just look like a blast!

Oh, NO!

With all of the hustle and bustle in getting ready for the Ruffles and Rust Show last month, I completely forgot that it was my

2nd Anniversary on ETSY.

This is cause for a huge celebration.

So what would a celebration be without

CUPCAKES AND COUPONS?

Take a cupcake and a coupon and grab some for your friends. There's plenty to go around. I'd really love it if you shared.

Just use COUPON CODE: ANNIVERSARY20 at checkout. I'll figure out the rest!

So, another year of living a life of bliss has come and gone. I can't thank you all enough for your generous support of my little business. I thank God everyday that I am able to live my dream.

Thanks Mom and Dad

I hope you'll enjoy a cupcake too!

Good Morning

Good Morning . . . and it is a good morning. You can clearly see that I'm just laying around enjoying my cup of coffee. As I started to think about my day ahead, I realized that I forgot to announce my Oscar Pick Winner! I'm so sorry to have forgotten. It's hard when you've just rolled out of bed . . .

Seriously though, I do have a winner and I'm sending

Gift Certificate LOVE out to Dani.

Congratulations Miss Dani. Just send me your e-mail so I can send you

confirmation of your certificate.

Ahhhhhhh . . . this is more like it.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Now go get your day started!