DO YOU HAVE A MOTHER?

Do you have a mother?

Do you have a mother that you love?

Call her.

Call her a couple of times a week.

Send her a card.

Heck, set up a schedule, have the cards in hand,

and make it simple for you.

Just. do. it.

Love her and let her know that you do.

Bless her with the things she loves.

mom with my niece, Carly, and my sister, Joan

Do you live close to your mom?

Lunch out.

Take her chocolates (please, not generic).

Go spend the afternoon with her and play cards.

Take her out to her favorite restaurant.

Do it all and more.

The time you spend with her will not only bless

her, but it will also bless you.

She's going to die someday.

YOUR. MOM. WILL. DIE.

And, I think that there is nothing more dear

than knowing that when she does, she will be going to heaven.

To have her come to love Jesus if she doesn't already.

I want to leave you with one last thought.

My mom died one year ago today.

I loved her dearly.

I miss her so badly.

Every day.

mom's 80th birthday trip....sitting with the Tank

But, I am at peace knowing that I did all I could all of my adult years,

especially the last year of her life,

so that there was never any doubt that she knew i adored her.

That I loved her.

I have a mother that I love.

OH, I JUST HAVE SO MUCH TO TELL YOU!

BLOG GIVEAWAY

IT'S STILL OPEN, SO IF YOU HAVEN'T ENTERED,

SCROLL DOWN A FEW POSTS & ENTER!

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Now, where to start???
Should I break all of my fun news into several posts over the next several days or give it all to you at once?
I'm feelin' "break it down into several posts" - keeps ya guessin' and comin' back, right???
So, let's start with the BIG NEWS!

I HAVE *finally* OFFICIALLY OPENED MY LOLLISHOP! wooo hooo!!
I have been working so hard on Valentine's pieces so y'all would have much to choose from and I feel like I've stocked the shop enough to break out in song that it's open!!
You're looking at some pictures of what you can expect to see in
my new shop.

And, while you're here, I'd like for you to take a poll........
in the comments section, after you rave about my art

and before you go to the shop and buy lots,

.........

let me know, do you think:
(a.) I should keep the name "Velvet Rain Studio" for my Lollishop name,
(b.) I should change the name to "the Polka Dot Barn" which is the name I've used forever for my Etsy shop and my blog, or
(c.) I should call it "the Velvet Rain Studio at the polka dot barn".

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I really value your input so please let me know what you're thinking - though I will tell you that if you "search" for "Polka Dot Barn" when you go to Lollishops, it should take you to my shop because I always use P.D.B. in my tags list.

OH, and this is a vital piece of information!..........
THE POSTAGE CHARGE IS FIGURED INTO THE COST OF EACH PIECE!
No extra postage charges tacked on at checkout.
AND, if you buy more than one item,

of course I'll combine the shipping!

I'm even using a digital scale, so I'm exact.
Obviously, I'm a professional. LOL

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into my new Lollishop!
I'm really excited about it!
Double click on any of the highlighted and underlined

"Lollishop" or "my new shop"
and my shop will magically appear for you to look over!
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Thanks so much for letting me ramble on about my new adventure!

And, don't forget the giveaway if you haven't entered!

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Like I always say,

I have the best readers and I do so appreciate you!!

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XOXO,

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SOMETIMES I'M JUST IN THE MOOD TO CREATE "SWEET AND PRETTY"

Hi, you sweet girls!
When my middle child, Blake, who is 21 now, was 5 years old, he wanted a kitty for his birthday present.
I took him to the local humane society and followed that darling child around the cat and kitten pens two times while he studiously made his decision.
When he had finally decided which kitty he wanted, I asked him what he wanted to name her.
After several moments of quiet contemplation he said in his soft little voice, "I think Sweet and Pretty Kitty".

You know, sometimes you look at something and you can't help but think "sweet and pretty".
That's what I thought when I looked at these cards I finished this evening.
Fabulous papers, beautiful tags, precious girls, rub-on swirls, ribbon, lace and flowers, rick-rack and tiny seed beads {on the card below}.
I wish you could see the detail in the cards better, but, you know what?
I don't have the time nor do I have the inclination to take more photos and all that entails to show you the detail.....just look closer at the pictures. LOL

That's my hint that I'm exhausted and am going to bed.

I am reading a fabulous book *Tiger's Child by Torey Hayden* and my Mary mag is waiting for me to devour it!

So, goodnight, my sweet friends.

Thank you for reading my blog post!

And, if you're a regular reader, thank you for your support.

Nightie-night!

XOXO,

Jan