My First Giveaway!

I’m so excited to be having my very first giveaway….on my own blog!! My sweet friend at We are THAT family hosted one last year and it was great! (Thank you, sweet Kristen!)

As you know, I started my own jewelry business over 10 years ago and it has been so much fun! I love helping women who are on a budget be able to look like they spent more money than they actually did. I’ve met amazing people along the way. They were in person, but now I’m branching out into the blog world. I LOVE it!!

Recently, I totally revamped my website to include a shopping cart with PayPal. Very easy to use. I hope you like it!

My first giveaway is this gorgeous beaded necklace with matching earrings! I think it looks like Easter! Lots of pinks, greens, blues, and yellows. Very Spring-y!

So here’s how to win:

Since I am a new blogger and tweeter, you have some choices!

-Visit my website www.stonebeadedsilverjewelry.com and then my blog. Leave a comment and let me know what pieces you like in my collection. (1 entry)

For More Entries—You must LEAVE SEPARATE COMMENTS FOR EACH ENTRY!

-Become a Follower of my blog (2 entries)

-Follow me on Twitter (skoolaid) (2 entries)

-Grab my A Touch of Silver button and display it publicly on your blog (3 entries)

-Link this giveaway to your blog via a post or on your sidebar (4 entries).

Hurry up and enter! This Giveaway ends Friday, February 26th at 12 noon CST.

I can’t wait to see who wins!

Good luck!

Sandi

What makes Southerners special?

Okay, I am a Mississippi Girl through and through, but I married a guy from Wisconsin. Yes, he does own a real Cheese head (like the “lovely” ones they wear at the Green Bay Packer games). He wanted to buy a newborn-size one when our son was born. What was he thinkin’?? Guess, what? I won on that one!!

When we became engaged, I had to indoctrinate him to the “ways of the South”. I will never forget the day that he said “taaares” for the first time. (for those of you who don’t know what I just said, I’m referring to those round, black, rubber things that spin when you drive your car). We were on the phone and he was telling me that he would be late meeting me because he had to get his “taaares” checked.” He stopped himself and said, “I have lost all claim to being from the North. Did you hear what I just said?” (not a Yankee, by the way, because according to my sweet husband, Wisconsin people are NOT Yankees…they’re just from the North!). I laughed until my sides hurt!

And don’t EVEN get me started on the cabbage and black-eyed peas thing! Or explaining why we need to offer food to anyone who comes over to our house!

I would LOVE to hear your stories. What are some of the differences we as Southerners have compared to the rest of the country that make us SPECIAL? Leave a comment and share your ideas.

Bye, Y’all!

Sandi

Home Sweet Home

When I was growing up, my mother loved to do any type of needlepoint or cross-stitch. There were beautiful pieces of her “craft” all around our house. She would make gorgeous cross-stitched Scriptures or prayers and they would either be hung on the wall or in frames sitting in bookcases or on tabletops. I loved seeing all of them!

There was one thing in particular that I vividly remember seeing. It was a “Home Sweet Home” needlepoint that was framed and she gave it to my grandparents who hung it in their home. Each time we would visit, I loved seeing it. That was many, many years ago. Well, before my husband and I married, I moved back home with my parents for the 6 months before our wedding. I was there with them every day after work and had no clue what my mother was working on. Then, at a bridal shower, she gave me my very own “Home Sweet Home” needlepoint just like the one that hung in my grandparents’ home! I was shocked!! It now hangs in our home and I get to see it everyday!

The thing that I learned by looking closely at the “Home Sweet Home” is that my mother spent many, many hours working tirelessly to make something beautiful and memorable for me and my new family. On the front, it’s perfect! But on the back, there are knots and strings that look very messy. Hard to believe the two even are part of the same gorgeous work.

I think that is how our lives are as moms. We are not always neat and organized, but everything always gets done! Our kids always have food, they may not always have that certain pair of jeans they love, but they have clothes to wear, nonetheless. I think if we could focus more on the big picture and not get so bogged down in the messy day-to-day things, our families would enjoy a lot more fun and laughter and just shear peace.

Why don’t you try this week not to stress about the little things and try focusing on those things that matter? My mom didn’t know at the time that her needlepoint for me would have so much more meaning than just look beautiful on the wall ---but it would be a life lesson not to stress about the “junk” but to look at the overall picture—God makes it all to be beautiful in His time!

Blessings,

Sandi