Welcome to the New Year! I know I have not posted in ages, and I am so sorry. I hope to be much better at posting this year. Life became so busy at th end of last year with my brother's accident, then the Holidays came, and well I just now feel like I am caught back up.

Some new and exciting things also happend last year. I now have my new website up and running. Sales are going very well and I thank all of you for that. Look for some new great products that will be offered this year. We are still selling on Etsy too.

May God Bless you all this new year and may all your dreams come true!
Christy

Yummy Goodies Coming to Frivolous Whimsy

Here is just a sneak peak at some of the goodies that will be coming to Frivolous Whimsy!
Come and peek www.frivolouswhimsy.com

Hugs,
Christy

Just Some Website Promoting!

Make a Smilebox postcard

A New Beginning

Hello Friends!

I just wanted to pass on a bit of news to you all. First and foremost I want to thank-you all from the bottom of my heart for your kinds words and prayers for my brother. I means so much to me that you all would be praying for a perfect stranger. I have kept copies of all of the blog post, note from Etsy buyers, friends, and passers by who just happened to read my front page so that Mike can read them all. On the times I have visited him I have told him about all of you and it brings him to tears to know that so many people were praying for him.

As of today October 6th, 2009 Mike is till in the hospital. His accident happened on August 20th, 2009. We are so blessed with the progress he has made. His doctors are literally amazed! They call him the walking miracle. You see he suffered the same injury that Christopher Reeves suffered. The doctors say you either die from that break in your neck, or you are paralyzed from the neck down. Very rarely do you ever walk again. Mike is walking and making great progress in his physical therapy. Top that with a brain injury that scored him at a vegatative state on the Glascow Coma score (4 out of a 15) and you see that God is good! No he is GREAT! My brother has no indications that he has any brain injury. He is flying through his cognitive therapy's at a rate of 4-5 weeks of progress every week! They are telling him he may be able to go home to recieve his therapy's in 2 weeks! When he entered his new hospital a few weeks ago, they said he would not go home till February 2010. Mike still has his Halo, and may need a few more surgery's, his left arm has very limited movement, but he is alive and will be able to go back to work and lead a productive life.

When I visited Mike a week ago, it was nice because it was just him and I. No parents, no kids, no spouses. We were able to talk candidly about his future and mine. He told me he realizes how lucky he is. He also said God is not finished with him yet, and he needs to figure out what God wants him to do. My brother is a very charasmatic person and I told him perhaps he needs to become a motivational speaker. He ponders what his new beginning will lead him too. I also spoke with him about my future and a few plans I had. My brother told me I need to go after my dream. His encouraging words have led me to open my own web site. I love selling on the internet. I love selling the things I make and fun and whimsical art supplies, and vintage treats. So I am proud to annouce my new beginning http://www.frivolouswhimsy.com/

I will still be on Etsy, but the products on my website will be cheaper and I will offer more variety. It is up and running now, but I am still adding products on a weekly basis with the hope to have it fully stocked by January 2010. I do hope you can take a few moments and visit the site. Please leave me some comments on what you like, don't like and what products you would like to see me carry.

I am working on a project to launch next year I am really excited about, so stay tuned!

Hugs,

Christy

Thank-you

Thank-you all whom are praying for my brother and our family. I feel like I am on a roller coaster and I keep yelling stop, but no one will let me off! Some days I am way up, and other days way down. Yesterday was a fantastic day, I was able to talk to my brother on the phone, he could speak over his trach tube and he understood what I was saying, and when he spoke back to me it was clear and corheirent. Now I am riding down the hill, to fast and I want off. Mike spiked a fever last night, and today does not know his wife, my parents, and his nurse is me, he keeps calling her "Chris" (which is what he calls me-the only person who calls me Chris). He says he is in Mexico, when asked what city in Mexico we get "south Colorado". So needless to say he is not making any sense at all. He does not want to watch TV, he just stares at the ceiling. I knew this road our family is on would be long and hard, but it breaks my heart to see him doing so well one day and the next doing so poorly. He has a fever to and the doctors and nurses (on his new floor) do not seem concerned. We realize it is the holiday weekend, but a hospital is susposed to be open 24/7. My mom is a nurse, and she suspects a UTI, so test his urine for peets sake. If it comes back negitive then you have eliminated a cause to his "madness". If it positive then you can treat it and start getting him well again. It is so frustrating.
I will try to post again soon. Thank-you for the prayers and kind thoughts, they do mean so much to me and touch my heart, many times when I am down they bring me back up again.
Your in Friendship,
Christy

Mike Update

Hello All,

As I stated in my last post I would keep you updated as to Mike's progress. Each day is a new journey, that gives us hope. Yesterday was Mike's best day yet. Today a few baby steps backward, but tomarrow one leap forward we hope. Mike was given the chance to try breathing on his own yesterday with no vent support. He did great and was able to go 6 hours by himself. He was the most awake he has been this entire 9 days as well. That was both a blessing and a curse for us because he was trying to communicate with us, but we do not know what he was saying or motioning too. Everytime we leave the room he reaches for us too (that is tough)!

I was able to talk with him for the first time yesterday with him understanding me. He was very restless yesterday and he kept making terrible faces like he was in pain. I asked him if he was in to pain to squeeze my hand and he did not. I asked him if he was hot and he did squeeze my hand. My brother is always hot and sweats like a beast. So we got his room temp lowered and he seemed to do much better with that. The other great thing that happened yesterday was he cracked a half smile for the first time. A female co-worker came to visit Mike and he only had a sheet on and it was only coving him in the "import places" and she said "Mike are you trying to flash me?" and he cracked a half smile like he got the joke. We can see that our Mike is in "their" and wants to come out, but it is going to be a slow process. The doctors also told us yesterday that he will be in ICU for at least another two weeks. The long range plan is to move him to Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids for a 3 month stay for intensive rehab. Then another 9 months of out patient re-hab. We are so grateful for the progress he has made, and we know he is a fighter and will contiue to fight to get well. We thank everyone who has said a prayer for him, and ask if you can to keep praying for him. We know that God is making a diffrence and we know that God can heal Mike, in His own time. I will post again the end of next week as I will be seeing him again then. I have to start back to work this week, so I am not as free to see him as I was before.

Thank-you,

Christy

Continued Prayer

To all of you whom have been praying for my brother I cannot thank-you enough. It means so much to our family that complete strangers would take time to pray for someone they do not know personally. I have been printing out your post and giving them to Mike's wife and my parents to read.

The prayers are working! The doctors are calling Mike the miracle man. He is opening his eyes for brief periods of time and he can do commands like squeeze your wife hand. He has movement in three of his extremities, but his left arm does not move at all. He gives the thumbs up he can feel it, but still no movement. He had a halo put on today to secure his two broken vertibra in his neck. Now we call him our "angel". He will have to wear that for 90 days. He is still on a vent that breathes for him. Tomarrow they are taking him off of all of the sedititves to see what happens. Please pray he tolerates it. I guess from what we hear when you get woke up and you are on a vent it feels like you are breathing through a straw and you get the sensation you are sufficating, when you really are getting enough oyxgen.

God has been so good to our family these last few days and we owe Him all of the Glory!

Thank-you again from the bottom of my heart. <3

If you would like to read daily updates on Mike you can go to:www.carepages.com enter (uppercase) MIKETISDALE (no spaces) in the box.

Christy

Prayer

This is a picture of my brother Mike. He is 36 years old and is married with two children ages 5 and 7. On Thursday August 20th he was in a car accident. He and his daughter were headed to the store to get her a fishing hat and supplies for their daddy daughter fishing weekend. They were struck by a semi truck who ran a red light. His daughter escaped with minor injuries. Mike had to be extracted from the car with the jaws of life. He was then air lifted to the nearest trauma center. He is in critical condition. He has severe brain trauma, a broken neck at vertibra 2 and 3, a broken sternum and other various minor injuries. He is in a coma and is on a ventilator.

I ask for you to please pray for him and our family. We know that God can do great things and we have asked God to surround Mike with His healing hands.

Thank-you in avance for your prayers,

Christy

A new look for the end of Summer

ahhh................it has suddenly dawned on me that our dear friend summer is coming to an end. The vacations are over, the fairs have ended, and it is the time when we start looking forward to going back to school and to our friend Fall. The winds are getting cooler, the birds are headed south, and the mums are in bloom. I look back and I am thank-ful for the times I have shared with family and friends these last few weeks. The laughter, the jokes, the memories..................I will hold them in my heart and treasure them.
I hope all of you have had the same joys in your life these last few weeks. Time to look forward to the new challenges, and changes that life brings our way.

Blessings to you all,
Christy

Train Fest 2009

So I live in this rural little community in the center of Michigan. Nothing much ever happens here, it really it an idealic life of lazy summer days, combine's in the fields, and the highlight of summer, the county fair.

Well all that is about to change. Starting July 23-25 Train Fest is coming! It is susposed to bring in over 30,000 people to our county. That a lot!!

So I have been a busy beaver creating shabby cottage goodies, Faux pastries, collecting antiques etc. The reason? Because I am going to have a booth at the FLea Market. For all those ladies who have come along to please their hubby's I have just what you are looking for. Treasures!!! I am posting a few pictures to give you a sample of what you will find in my booth.

I will be located at the Shiawassee County Fairgrounds in the two big barns up front. Come on down and say HI!

If you say you saw this blog you will save 10% on any purchase!

Have a Great Week!

Christy

Jolie`aux Rose

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I just love pink! Pink is go girlie, pretty,feminine, sweet, and shabby!

"Pretty in Pink"-not the movie with Molly Ringwald, but the name of this blog submission, in French-it adds well.................a romantic sound to "Pretty in Pink"!

I had this old train case I found in one of my travels, I painted it pink and then it sat on the shelf for litterally over a year. I came across it yesterday while cleaning my craft room, which had become completley over run with sugary, yummy crafty goodness :)

I had so many "extra" bits and bobs and goodies that I thought why not fill it to the brim with treasures and offer it for sale. So I hunted, and moved, and searched for just the right thingsto put inside it and now it weighs 8 POIUNDS-yep, 8 pounds full of yumminess!

I love it and would be so happy to get it if I was after that kind of thing right now, but I am not so I offer it up. The reason I wanted to share it here is because I just love how it looks filled. IN my spare time I take photographs (mostly of people) but every once in a while something catches my eye as "eye candy" or eye pleasing and this sure did! I did not use my professional camera on this, just my point and shoot digital I use for my pictures, but still it gives you the idea of how pretty this is. I think just as is would make a great display piece in a home.

Anyway, that is what I share with you today. a Jolie`aux Rose Train case filled with treasures!

Have a GREAT week!

Christy

Summertime Berries!

Hello All!

WOW! It has been a busy day at my house today. This morning at the crack of dawn my husband and I headed out to pick strawberries. Best to get their early before the sun roasts you and the swarm of people arrive. We picked 19 Quarts of berries in about 45 minutes. Came home and started the process of cleaning, slicing and making homemade strawberry jam. Oh, my goodness it is the best stuff ever! I made 40 jars of jam (so far) and still have 13 quarts of berries left-AUGH!!!!!!!

I have cut some for shortcake, cuz really now it is not summer without a fresh made strawberry shortcake :)

I sent some home with some frineds that stopped by today, and I now have 10 quarts left to make up tomarrow for more jam.

As all of my berries were sitting on the table I was inspired. The little green vintage baskets would make the great holders for some bits and bobs for ATC's!

So after the day was finished I went to the craft room, took a few baskets and strated creating.

I have enclosed a picture of "the fruits of my labor" and my inspirations!

Have a Great Day!

You can find them on ETsy in my store

http://www.frivolouswhimsy.etsy.com/

Missing in Action

Hello Dear Friends!

I am sure many of you had wondered where I had wondered off to. Well lets just say the month of May was filled to the brim with activities! I was susposed to be done working on May 22nd. I was able to get another four weeks of work giving to me by my boss (which was great because my husband is now un-employed due to Michigan's horrible economy) so I snatched up the work, and finished up last Thursday June 11th. My daughter graduated from high school (Amy- never made it to Midland for the antiques market and to meet you face to face because of that-perhaps in July) my son started drivers traning, and has had two minor fender benders :( Poor guy! Hopefully he passes :) I had two feild days to attend, 1 conference for work.......................well the list goes on and on. Like I said I was glad for the work, but sad because I had so many great plans for a new launch of treasures, and handmade goodies for the month of June.

So that is why I am blogging today. To let you all know I am back to doing what I love to do during the summer months. Creating, crafting, selling, blogging, and having FUN!

The picture above shows just a few of my newest handmade creations, and new found vintage treasures. They are in various states of "finishedness" and many of them will soon be listed on my Etsy Store sight-www.FrivolousWhimsy.etsy.com

I hope you like what you see, and please make sure to check back for more pictures of upcoming treasures and creations.

Glad to be back,

Christy

ARUGH! A Pirate's Life for ME!

o.k. I am sure you are all thinking i have lost my mind with the title of this blog, but alas I have not (at least not yet!)

Here is the story in a round about way!

A few weeks ago my husbands Great Aunt passed away. She was 93. She was a wonderful lady whom served the Lord all of the days of her life. She was saved when she was 5 years old. I had known her for my enitre life as I went to the same church as she did as a young child. She watched me as a baby in the church nursery, I was one of her bible quizzing students when I was about 11 years old, then I went and married her sister's husband's great grand-son. So she became family. The one thing I remember the most about Aunt Lela was her smile and her laugh, she always seemed to be happy. I can still picture it today even though she is gone and I had not seen her in over 15 years. She will be dearly missed, but we all know she is most happy now with Jesus.

Well at her visitation and funeral we saw both friends and family, some of which we had not seen in 15 years. All of them asked about our family, the kids and wanted to see pictures. The bad mom I am, I had none with me. So I made it a point to print some up and keep with me at all times for just such an event. I also uploaded a bunch to my facebook for my family and friends to see. I discovered that many of the people I had lost touch with were on Facebook, so I now talk to them and see them through that.

Well as I was going through the pictures I came across one of my youngest son, Michael who is almost 11. He is the baby and well he is a tiny little peanut. He wears a size 7, he is in third grade and about the size of an average 1st grader. He is obessed with Pirates, and wanted to be one for Halloween last year. I came across a cute costume, added a bit of accent pieces and well this is what he looked like. I remember this day so well. He came home from school and wanted to play outside in his costume. He did not know I was watching him,and taking pictures (eventually he figured it out) and it was so cute to see him "fight" the other pirates. The two of us love to sit on the couch and "snuggle" and watch Pirates-3-I love Jonny Depp as an actor and well he just loves the whole thing. So today that it was I decided to blog about-A Pirate's Life for Me!

ARUGH!

Christy

New Background

Looking for in put on the new blogger background.
Do you like it?
It is to loud?
I was looking for fun, pink and aqua-this is what I cam up with.
I may change if you all do not like it.

Give me your feedback please.
Thanks,
Christy

Sweet Eye Candy Cupcake Picks

Hi All!

So this weekend I have been so busy in the craft room again! I EVEN broke out the serger today and made a FLea Market Cart Liner. Look for info on that item come next week!

Anyhoo! I have had some great ideas come to me this weekend-Can I say I just love it when that happens!!! I have been so busy on many projects-last count was 8 diffrent projects. I can NEVER complete one from start to finsih I jump around from project to project!

Well I got these little gems done. They are my new Cupcake Picks-All handmade-no mass production here! I think these are so "sweet" They feature a cute vintage bunny, that I have glittered (in just the right spots) millinery findings, and vintage seam binding ribbons. I think they are adorable!

So many uses orignial use of cupcake picks, altered art, collage, party favors, embellishment, all kinds of things. The best part is I am looking at making coordinating pieces like garlands, nut cups, tags, and such.

Hope you all like, just wanted to share!

Talk Soon,

Hugs!

Christy

Spring is Here!!

Well, it has finally arrived, SPRING! I love Spring. I love EASTER too! The soft pastel colors, the bunnies, baby chicks and baby ducks at the Farm store-awwww. We alwyas bring some home each Spring. I will post pictures of ours soon! They will arrive at our house mid April.

The crocus are popping out, the dafidols and tulips will be next. I hear the birds each morning that is a welcome sound.

Spring is also the time of year that is the most busy for me with school. So my post will be few during the next few weeks. I will try to at least post once a week.

I have been very busy in the craft room with new projects! I can't wait to show you all of the new suprises! Summer delights are coming soon too!

Hugs to all--Talk Soon,

Christy

A Peek at my Craft Room

Hello All!

I hope this blog post finds all of you doing well!

I miss posting!

I have been SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BUSY!!

The weather this weekend makes me think that Spring maybe arriving soon. I saw sweet Robin's in the yard too--so one can only hope!

I opened the shaes in my craft room-which is hooked to my bedroom, old farmhouse-long story!

But none the less I have a very large room that I am able to craft in (I am so thankful for that)

It was a bit messy so I "picked" up just a bit. I cannot "clean" it or I will never find anything again! It looked nice so I took a few pictures for you all to see. Yes the walls are a bright hot pink (yeah for pink!) it was that way when we moved in. My hubby bought me some black foam mats for me to stand on when crafting-easier on the feet. Thank-you Doug!

Floor is wood, needs redone. Curtains are lace. And lots and lots of shelves and storage bins!

I works great for me!

Till next time,

Hugs!

Christy

New Banner

I just wanted to take a few minutes to say a special thank-you to Dale McClain of Sea Dream Studios for creating my new blog banner. Dale has an amazing talent and creates the most eye pleasing blog banners and shop banners. Now if we could just get her to create website graphics too................I would be all set!

If you get some time please stop on over and see her amazing talents.

Sea Dream Studio website Sea Dream Studio blog Sea Dream Studio Etsy shop Sea Dream Studio Flickr Sea Dream Studio at CafePressSea Dream Studio ~ My Lollishop

Thank-you so much Dale and feel better soon!

Till next time,
Christy

And the Winner is......................................

Hello All!

I am assuming most of you thought I fell off the Earth as I have not posted in a very long time. I am still here and busy as ever, hense the reason why I have not posted. The kids are busy with mid-winter activities, I have a Senior who is running for Fair Queen, trying to get into colleges and applying for scholarships. Trying to create for Etsy and being a teacher with conferences this last week, so life has been crazy!

I wanted to thank-you ALL for posting comments here on my blog about my Etsy store and what you all are really liking and not liking. It helped me out so much! I hope to keep creating unique and lovely items that you all like. I also hope to keep offering vintage and new supplies as those too are a big hit.

I have some bad news. I was hoping to open my very own website in March, and I am sad to say it has been postponed to June. I am still working on finding the perfect graphic designer for the site and the perfect web host. I will keep you updated at to when this dream will come to fruition.

The winner for the blog Give-a-way is Amy of Bunny Rose Cottage! Little Miss Abbie (one of my daughters) picked her name from all of those who posted. Amy be patient with me as your items will be going out this next weekend.

I hope this post finds all of you doing well, and I look forward to blogging again with you real soon!

Hugs!!

Christy