Little Pleasures--Here We Go

Fuzzington: Charlie the Chocolate Lab Mutt ($8.00)

chickscratch: Champagne Soy Massage Candle ($15.00)

SimplyFrenchDesigns: Petite Fleur de Lis Keychain ($12.00)

justnkace: Sweetheart Notebook ($3.20)

Burgandy: Romantic Victorian Style Earrings ($12.00)

BonTons: Customized Kiss Hug Kiss Hug Pillow Case ($18.00)

EnsorcelledMinds: Red HEART GEM Single Blank Handmade Care ($4.00)

lookwhatifound: Sale Vintage Pearl Choker Necklace ($7.50)

cbartworks: Onigiri Earrings ($10.00)

RDGDesigns: Gold Lame bookmarker with hand blown beads ($10.00)

sumpinelse: MY Fortune Cookie Rear View Mirror Charm ($5.00)

Enough teasing, I have been thinking about this all day and could hardly wait to show you our "finds." Many thanks to all the Etsians that contributed to this, the first in the Little Pleasures series. Every item posted tonight is priced at under $20.00. The Etsy addresses are provided so that if you don't see it here you can go and explore. Hope you enjoy!

Just a Sample of Little Pleasures

As promised last night today we begin the Little Pleasures series. Over the next few days we will be bringing you options not only from our Sumpin Else shop but from other wonderful Etsy shops as well! Stay tuned over the coming days and share in some of the cutest and affordable handmade items available.

Little Pleasures

It seems that everywhere we turn these days we are reminded of the sad state of our economy and our world. Yet if we listen long and hard enough there is something else, something that is positive and promising. That something is hope because despite what life dishes out these days people remain hopeful.

At work we see it in the faces of our co-workers. For me it is my staff, patients and their families that remind me everyday of how much there is to be hopeful for. They remind of the little pleasures in life that get us through.

With this in mind and with Valentine's Day around the corner, Maggi and I have been working to bring you a line of little pleasures on our Etsy site. We know that although life goes on money is tight. A little affordable remembrance might be just the pick me up someone might need. We know that our friends and customers would also like to see a little variety and with that in mind we will invite fellow Etsians to display their pieces here at Sumpin Else.

It is our hope that we bring you some options and joy with our little pleasures. As always, we welcome and encourage your feedback. Carmen and Maggi

Keeping Up With the New Year's Resolution

It's hard to be good especially when life gets in the way. I've been meaning to update the blog and clue everyone in on what we have been doing lately so here it goes.

Maggi and I have been very busy updating the Etsy shop. We've been taking down Christmas and listing brand new Valentine's Day merchandise and having a wonderful time doing it! Even though our website is running way behind, we continue to work with our developer to get it up and running in the near future. In the meantime, we are available both through the blog and "convo" at Etsy.

We've been bad, so very bad

Well, the holiday season has come and gone. We shopped, we wrapped, we created, WE FORGOT TO UPDATE THE BLOG--we knew we were forgeting to do sumpin else! To our friends here we apologize. Our New Year's resolution is to update and keep you updated.

We added many new items to our Etsy site in November and December as we continue to work with our developer to get our website up and running. Our hope is that in 2009 you will have multiple ways to reach us and find the one that is easiest for you.

We've met many wonderful customers at the local arts and crafts shows that we attended and participated in during the holiday season. We also have established many wonderful friendships.

Ella (the flying pig) continues to evolve and a section called Ella Gives Back is now featured in the Etsy shop. We currently have two causes with their own unique "gift," a portion of the proceeds from the sale of these items will go to the causes.

Tis the Season...

Last weekend we had our Holiday Open House here. We had invited a lot of folks and we'd like to thank those that stopped by and placed orders too! It was a successful day and now we've got a few new orders to get ready. And of course, as we get them ready, we'll share them here with you.

This first thing that I'm going to share isn't actually for an order...it's for a very special someone's birthday. I'm giving it to her tomorrow but won't mention "who" just yet...in case she's reading, of course.

This is a small card portfolio with 4 matching cards inside. In the photo, the portfolio looks black but it really is a deep brown...to match the brown in the striped paper of the card. This was my first attempt at one of these. Its something that I've had sitting in the back of my mind and I finally pulled it out tonight. I think I'll do a few of these for folks at my daughter's school for Christmas gifts. Oh, and I need to tell you too...the design of the card is very similar to my friend Bilynda's card that we did in a recent Stamp a Stack. Thanks Bilynda, for the inspiration! Your cards always rock!!

This next little ditty is "sumpin" that Maggi showed up with on Sunday. OH MY GOODNESS...this is absolutely GORGEOUS!! The colors of this just SCREAM Autumn and Thanksgiving. And she topped it off with a nice little "family" word block. I can just picture an awesome Thanksgiving Day photo in this baby. We're holding off on putting it up on Etsy just yet...only because we have a show on Saturday and I have a sneaky suspicion that this one might just sell. If you're interested in this one...drop us a line and we'll see if we can't get Maggi to whip up another one just for you!

This is another one that Maggi did for a custom order. The colors of this came from a dance costume from last year's recital. We weren't sure about the denim up against the hot pink and black...but Maggi added her special touch and this is the end result. A definite PLUS in my book!

I think I'll hold off on sharing anything more for now. Need to save stuff for later too, ya know.

I'm working on updating a lot of the photos at Etsy...so check back often to see what we've got up our sleeves. And of course, if there's ever anything you would like to order, drop us a line at sumpinelse@gmail.com.

Until next time...

We've got spirit!!!

Yes we do...
And we want to share it with you!!

No...I was never a cheerleader. Can you tell??


We just did a custom frame for a South Orlando Braves cheerleader. And I have to say that I love how it came out. The colors are so true to the uniform...and the stripes on the frame mirror the stripes on the uniform too.

Do you have a cheerleader? A dancer? Maybe even a soccer, football or baseball player. (any sport, any color scheme...) We can create a frame to coordinate with your child's team colors. And we'll personalize it for your little star, at no additional cost.

How about a frame for the coach?? Maybe an end of the season gift? We can customize a gift for your team's coach...a one of a kind, original gift...that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Drop us a line at sumpinelse@gmail.com to find out more information about ordering yours.

And check out all that we have available now at www.sumpinelse.etsy.com too

Have you noticed???

There have been quite a few new things added to our Etsy store over the past few days. Maggi,Carmen and I have been busy creating lots of fun things for us to share with you!

Check out Maggi's HALLOWEEN PAPER BAG BOOK and take a look at these cute little MATCHBOOK NOTEPADS too. These notepads would be perfect little gifts for a friend, office mate or maybe even your child's teacher. Something small but useful and very inexpensive.

Carmen created this beautiful box for your HAPPY THOUGHTS. I love the red/black/white color combination on this one!

We've also got a new DOG THEMED FRAME too.

Check the store often because things are being listed almost daily. You can also see our "Etsy Mini" on the sidebar of our blog. That will show you some quick shots of what's been added recently.

And its definitely not too early to start thinking about Christmas. We're taking orders now for the Holidays. Get your order in early to beat the rush. Drop us an e-mail at sumpinelse@gmail.com.

Think school colors, team colors, home decor themes and colors...let us make the perfect gift for your someone special.

Till next time...

Down in the deep blue sea...

I love a challenge...and I especially love a challenge that turns out to be pretty darn good. (If I do say so myself)

I was asked to do a frame for someone online. All we had to go with was "purple, dolphins and her name is Kim". Ideas started whirling around in my mind about how I would do this one. I decided to go with a sponged background in purple with the dolphin jumping out of the "water".

As I started this frame...I was nervous that the background would be too pink or maybe even too blue. Emily encouraged me by her "ooohs and ahhhs" and her "Can I do one of those, Mommy??". As I finished, I thought..."yep, that's purple enough." I found a sheet of Sea Life creatures in my stash and set on my way with completing my challenge.

The glitter glue came next...I knew it needed something special to make it look like water splashes. The twirls and the swirls were an afterthought. When the frame was finished, I stepped back and thought..."I really like this one." and hoped that our new customer would like it too.

And she did!!! She said it was "PERFECT". This made me sooooooo happy!

This frame was made for my new friend, Candice. I met her on Etsy and we've chatted a few times now. I look forward to forming a great friendship with her. She makes the prettiest pottery bowls and pours the yummiest scented soy candles in them. I recently purchased one from her store on Etsy...check it out...www.madhatterspottery.etsy.com

The next day, I was invited next door for lunch and took this purple dolphin frame to my neighbor's house to show her. I like to show her my recent work because she enjoys seeing it and always boosts my self esteem. (or is honest when she doesn't really like something too) She started asking questions about how much our frames are, how long do they take to make, etc. etc. Then tells me that she needs one like it for the girl that lives with her...that works at Sea World...with the whales.

Aha...another challenge!! Wasn't I lucky to have a whale on that same sheet of Sea Life creatures!!??!! The real challenge would be to get it done in less than a day. Could I do it??? I'd do my best.

Well, I did finish it...and my neighbor loved it. This one was done in blues and a little black trim. Very similar to the Sea World colors. It was delivered today and has already been given to the birthday girl too. I can't wait to hear what she thought of it!

Check them out!!!



So...if you didn't already realize it...we do custom orders! Drop us an e-mail and let us know what you need. We'll match color schemes of home decor, team colors for sports and cheerleading...even COLLEGE colors. How about wedding or baby gifts too?? Yep, we do them too. (and a whole lot more than just frames too) The possibilities are ENDLESS!

And check out the stuff that we already have up in our Etsy store too. www.sumpinelse.etsy.com

Till next time!

Thanks to Laura...and Conway Days too!

Laura was the winner of our REMEMBER frame that we put in the Silent Auction for Stephanie and Christian Nielsen. If you get a chance, pop over to her blog and check out the frame with the beautiful photo that she's chosen to display in the frame.

When I made this frame, this was exactly what I envisioned for it. A beautiful photo of a loved one(s)...a photo that would help us to "REMEMBER" the ones that we've loved and lost.

Thank you Laura, for sharing this with us.

This Saturday is the annual Conway Days Festival at Conway United Methodist Church. We'll be there from 9 till 3 with our frames and other stuff on display and for sale. So, if you're in the Orlando area, stop by and say hello.

Till next time!

Finally, we're on ETSY!!!

We finally got a few things up in the Etsy store this weekend. Not everything is there, but there are a few things to look at. Some that you may have already seen on the blog, others that might be new. Check things out when you get a chance!!


www.sumpinelse.etsy.com

Oh, and we've added a special thing on the sidebar too. So, just click our link over there and you'll get to us too!

Till next time!!

Nie Recovery Silent Auction

Stephanie Nielson is a fellow crafter and blogger. Recently, she and her husband Christian, were in a horrible plane crash that has left both of them in the burn unit at Maricopa Hospital in Arizona. They have four small children waiting for Mommy and Daddy to get home again but the road to recovery will be a long one.

Kim, at Today's Creative Blog, is featuring a silent auction on her site to benefit Stephanie and Christian.(this link has been included for you to read more about Stephanie and Christian)

Along with many other talented crafters, Sumpin Else has joined this cause and has donated the REMEMBER frame for this auction.Bidding has started on this and many other beautiful items.

Please take a moment to stop by Today's Creative Blog and bid on something to benefit Stephanie and Christian Nielson. A donation button has also been added to the right side of our blog for those that would like to make a donation without bidding on an auction item.

Thank you.