This Year, I Resolve To...

With the New Year's arrival, many of us decide it's a great time to make a few changes... whether it's healthier living, balancing work with a little more fun, or even trying a new recipe every week, most people resolve to change their habits in some positive way. This year, once again (in addition to the three things I had already mentioned) I made a resolution to simplify and get more organized. Not that things are really that bad, but there's always room for improvement, isn't there? It seems to be a popular resolution too, considering several members of my family and friends have mentioned the same inclination!

So I roamed the aisles at Etsy to find some great organizational aids - it's definitely not too late to find that perfect something that will help you get or stay organized - freeing up time for more important activities like playing with the kids or special time with a special someone. I hope you enjoy taking a peek at the selections I've made - these are just a few of the great organizational items that you can find by searching "organize" on Etsy!

First up is this amazing Design Your Own Standard Size Organizer/Planner from ElizabethDavidDesign. While I absolutely love the prints on the samples shown because they remind me of prints that were popular during the carefree days of being a teenager, there is a huge variety of patterns and colors available in this great shop and this listing allows you to choose from a selection that fits your lifestyle and preferences. Perfect for little things like notecards, paper, envelopes and stamps or perhaps as a business organizer with business cards, photo portfolio, and business stationary, this great versatile organizer comes with three zipppered pockets and its uses are only limited by your imagination!


One of the things I see my kids struggle with in dealing with my grandchildren is the issue of keeping clutter under control in their vehicles, so when I saw this kids car seat organizer at SewnNatural, I thought "What a great idea!" The description from the listing says it better than I ever could - "This car seat organizer is a stylish and sturdy way to keep a child's car treasures where everyone can see them. No more finding books, toys or crayons jammed in the seat or under a floor mat months later." Definitely perfect for anyone who travels with little ones!


Sometimes, getting organized is simply as easy as having a separate (and beautiful) bin for each type of item you want to store. Sewingmomma offers a wide selection of fabric covered bins in a great variety of styles and shapes. This set of Four Large Comfy Fabric Storage Bins may be just what you need to de-clutter those shelves or that table or drawer!



Happy Organizing!

The Fantasy World of Middle Earth

In honor of JRR Tolkien's birthday, (and since I'm a fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), I went out in search of items inspired by the fantasy world of Middle Earth. For anyone who's not familiar with these Tolkien classics, they follow the adventures of two Hobbits (also known as halflings - relatives of the race of Men), Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins. As the epic fantasy unfolds, the world of Middle Earth comes to life and the hobbits and their friends (Sam the gardner, Merry, and Pippin) take the reader on a magical journey aided by such characters as Gandolf (a wizard), Aragorn (rightful king of Gondor and Arnor), and Legolas, the Elven prince. They are pitted against the likes of Gollum (a hobbit like creature who once owned The One Ring), Sauron (the dark Lord of the Rings - a fallen sorcerer who helped the elves forge the Rings of Power and now wishes to regain control of The One Ring), and the Ringwraiths (servants of Sauron) as they endeavor to maintain control of The One Ring.

This classic tale is definitely one that should be part of your reading list! But now, let's take a look at some of the great items inspired by the story line and created by some very talented Etsians!



Perhaps a distant cousin of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, this adorable One of a Kind HOBBIT Charm is handcrafted from polymer clay and available from LITTLESbyKris. Kris's attention to detail make this charm a beautiful and magical addition to anyone's collection!







There is a certain magical quality associated with Middle Earth, and that magic is illustrated beautifully in so many of the wonderful jewelry and accessory designs inspired by fantasy. I chose this lovely Woodland Shire Ivy Leaf Sterling Silver Bracelet Cuff with Pink Rhodocrosite from Camias for this feature because it embodies the spirit of the Shire and the beauty of nature in such a design that any self-respecting Middle Earth princess would love to wear!



Imagine walking through Middle Earth, the air rich with earthy aromas filling your senses with their magical powers to relax, soothe, and renew. Now imagine those same scents available to you as aromatherapy oils. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? With this RACES OF MIDDLE EARTH complete oil set from rosemarygrace you can bring the magical aromas of middle earth into your own private space. I think the descriptions sound intriguing and wonderful so be sure to check out the listing for more information on the scents from these races of middle earth - Dwarves, Elves, Men, Hobbits, and Istari (Wizards)!


I hope you're enjoying your Sunday - have a great day!

The Amazing World of Science Fiction

I couldn't let today get by without paying a tribute to the wonderful literary genre of science fiction on this National Science Fiction Day. I have loved scifi since that fateful day in 1962 when my father borrowed an 8mm projector and a copy of This Island Earth from a friend and we watched Exeter and his fellow Metalunans seek help from earth scientists. A bit campy when I look back on it? Sure, but it was classic 1950's scifi - and it opened the door to a whole new universe for me.

The biggest reason why I think science fiction appeals to me is perhaps because it is based in possibility. As opposed to fantasy, which by definition has no basis in reality, and is often imbued with magic and myth, science fiction abides in a realm governed by the laws of science, albeit stretched a bit by the writer's imagination. What was once the decades old musings of great science fiction authors - like Jules Verne, H G Wells, Isaac Asimov, and many others - has become reality as we explore the depths of our oceans, the majesty of the universe, the wonders of life and chemistry, and all of the other mysteries of science. Concepts like artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum teletransportation, once topics relegated to the scifi world are no longer far fetched. I often wonder how much of today's science fiction will become tomorrow's science fact!

I'm definitely not the only one with a penchant for scifi themes... and today I'd like to share a few scifi themed lovelies from Etsy.

One of my absolute favorite shops when it comes to science fiction goodies, buildersstudio is packed with an amazing assortment of retro-futuristic other worldly and other timely pieces. I love the creativity that goes into designing items like this LITTLE Brother Fish Walker Biped ExAqua Exploratory Copper Machine Vehicle (he's the little guy on the left) - definitely something out of the pages of a favorite scifi novel and so much fun!


"Space, the Final Frontier..." - I first heard those words when Star Trek made its TV debut in September of 1966. I was 8 and needless to say I was hooked. Four decades later, the Star Trek franchise conceived by Gene Roddenberry has given us 4 more television series (Cptn Picard rules tho!), 10 major motion pictures, hundreds of books and movies, and a setting for my last wedding :) Yes, we were married at the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas - and both the Great WOO and I, as well as all of the guests in attendance (from my 2 week old grandson to my 81 year old mom) were in costume! We both love Star Trek, as do most our kids, and I'm just waiting for my chance to create another generation of fans in my grandchildren - one can only hope! It appears that Star Trek is also responsible for inspiring the imaginations of some of my fellow Etsians as well! I ran across these adorable Star Trek Meerkats at niftyknits and thought they would be perfect for this feature!

Today's collection would not be complete without a piece of steampunk since this jewelry style epitomizes the union of futuristic science fiction with old time victorian steam power themes. There are just so much beautiful steampunk wares available on Etsy, but for today's feature, I selected this Steampunk Jewelry Transformation VI Transformed Altered Antique Vintage Pocket Watch Necklace from StJoshua. Time and its passage are one of the few constants in science - where it will take us and what we will experience are mysteries that will unfold as it marches on. What is theory now may become fact in the not too distant future. What we hold as finite truths may become infinite possibilities. Without the inspiration of science fiction, I wonder how many of the things we take for granted would never have become science fact. Kudos to all of the world's great scifi writers on this National Science Fiction Day!

A New Dawn, a New Day, a New Year

Happy 2010 to everyone everywhere! The past few weeks have been a challenge for me - some minor complications from my surgery making recovery a little less easy than I had anticipated - but I'm hoping that I've finally turned the proverbial corner and with each passing day will continue to feel better and stronger. It's definitely time to "get back to work", so here I am (hopefully on a consistent basis once again), and for those of you who expressed concern and sent well wishes - a belated but heartfelt thank you! I'm definitely looking forward to the New Year and all it inspires - along with the promise of new starts, change, and growth.

I wanted to share one of my favorites from my personal collection of poems and prose - and I thought this piece would be appropriate for the start of the New Year.

These Are My Wishes For You (by Sandra Sturtz Hauss)

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand.

May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism.

Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.

May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them.

May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them.

Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than its form.

May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time in each day to see beauty and love in the world around you.

Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard you may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future.

May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.

May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments.

May you always feel loved.

(If I could add anything, it would be perhaps to always find inspiration and food for your spirit, and the courage to explore the endless creative possibilities that exist in this experience we call life, just waiting for you to add your own special interpretation and touch.)

Karen (aka Mystic Wynd)