The End of an Era

The time has come. The end of an era. I am officially closing my Etsy shop, mattscraftywife. I have thought long and hard about this and feel it is the right decision. I have a part time job working from home and do not have the time to devote to making new items for my Etsy shop now. Sales have been pretty slow for the better part of a year. The passing of my mom has brought me to a new chapter in my life, whether I like it or not, and it's time to do something else. I just don't have the heart for it right now.

I will be leaving my BreathofDawnStudio shop open until fall/winter to see if the higher-end scarves and winter items will sell. If they do, I might keep that shop as a seasonal shop. I will not be leaving Etsy altogether, I will still log in with the one shop in order to check on sales, and to check in with my teams. I'll just be laying a little low until Fall. I can still be found on Facebook at My Fan Page.

A Great Big thank you to all of the customers who have come to me and been loyal to me. I also need to thank my Etsy friends who taught me so much and supported me during some hard times. You all are dear to my heart. And thanks to my husband who has supported my time on Etsy, and my other family members who bought from me and supported me emotionally. Of course I thank and praise God for the success I had on Etsy over the last two years. I had 319 sales as of today, with 100% positive feedback. Maybe someday God will bring me back to Etsy on a more regular basis, who knows. Until then...

Farewell!

Easter Sunday

He is Risen!

He has risen from the grave! The tomb is empty! Hallelujah!

Happy Easter Sunday!

Palm Sunday

The Triumphal Entry

John 12:12-15

¹²The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!" ¹⁴Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written,
¹⁵"Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey's colt."

Today is Palm Sunday. I am thinking back to my childhood today. I grew up Catholic and Palm Sunday was always a big deal. They handed out palm fronds and we waved them just like they did when Jesus came back to Jerusalem. I can still remember how much my sweet mom loved Palm Sunday. She was a true lover of the Lord, and is now Home with Him in heaven. This will be my first Easter without her, and it will be very difficult. I am trying to remember that she is happy, happier than ever in this life, in heaven. She is with Jesus celebrating Palm Sunday today in the most spectacular celebration. I can not imagine what heaven is like, but I know it is full of worship, full of love, and full of joy. I know she is happy and content, praising her Lord today in eternity. I love her and miss her and will Praise the Lord even through my sadness and pain. She would want me to, and I need to because I too am a Lover of the Lord!

More Blog Wins

Yep, I won MORE blog contests. I'm on a roll! I have learned, if I don't enter I can't win. So I entered several and won some of them! I'm not entering any more right now since I got so lucky with these, to give others a better chance to win, having one less name on the list. :)



this is one of my wins, from the Loud and Wacky Street Team. It was a goodie box full of stuff from several of their members. Inside were a small black and red knitted pouch, a felted bag, several cards and postcards, an ACEO with hearts, a heart shaped clay magnet, a heart shaped keychain, a guitar pick necklace, a pair of earrings, stickers, notepads and a pencil. WOW I was so blown away by all of this wonderful stuff!!! I'm so thankful that I won such wonderful things.



I also won these ACEOS from Kathy of Tapestry 316. I received this beautiful ACEO along with a few others that she chose for me. I love them so much! She is a wonderful lady - check out her shop and blog.




Lastly, I won this set of wonderful items from Marlene of Marlene's Musings. Included was a book about acrylic paintings, an ACEO and a beautiful pair of blue beaded earrings. I'm just thrilled with this stuff!! My teen daughter is a painter so the book was given to her to learn from. Her Etsy Shop is wonderful! Check it out.

I'm so thankful to all of these etsy shops and teams for having wonderful giveaways. I hope you will take a look at all of them!

Valentine's Day in Heaven

This Valentine's Day is my mom's first one in heaven. I know it is the most ♥Love♥ She has ever felt, and she felt a lot of love on this earth from me, her only daughter. Not to mention the love from my dad, her husband of 42 years. And my brother, her sisters and brothers and everyone else who ever knew her. She is and was very loved. Not only was she loved, she loved too. She showed love to everyone she knew, not only saying I love you, but showing it in her actions. She taught me what unconditional love really is. I miss her as much today as any other day, but I know that in heaven she is the happiest she's ever been. There are no tears, no sadness, no pain, no fear, no sickness. Only Love, the best love of all, God's love. I can see her now, at the throne dancing for Jesus. Full of love and joy. She knows nothing of my current pain or sadness, which is good because it would hurt her to know how I am feeling since she went. I feel her with me, the little whispers in the dark "I love you, Pooh" and I never want to forget her voice, her touch, although not physically I do feel her. I am a part of her, and therefore she is always with me. Her life not only touched mine, but I would not be here without her. I miss her so and KNOW that she is happy and perfect in heaven with Jesus. I love her, forever.

Life

My friend Kathy at Tapestry316 wrote a blog post that I wanted to share. It's about some pro-life stories, but not what most people would think. It's a unique perspective about the value of a person's life, no matter how short or painful that life may be. She included my mom Betty in her post, and linked back to this blog to see our journey through the end of my mom's life. That was so touching, that she looked at our story and thought about how life is precious.

I still miss mom every day, every moment really. There is never a time that my heart doesn't feel shattered. It's been less than three months since she passed. Time does not heal all wounds, but it does lessen the pain of them. I know as time goes on my shattered heart will slowly feel a little better, hard to imagine as that is. There will always be broken pieces, where I miss my mom. She was and is a special person, who was my kindred soul. We were two peas in a pod, connected in a way that I can't even describe. My mom was only 62, and I am only 34, and it feels just way too soon. I'm happy to say that while I miss her, she is healed, in heaven. Whole, healthy and happy again - rejoicing with Jesus. I will see her again, and can't wait for the day.

FUN WITH CAST TEAM FRIENDS

I had the most wonderful time of fellowship with my friends from Etsy, CAST team to be specific. (CAST team is Christian Artists Street Team). My friend Daffy as she is known, has been planning a trip to FL for a few months and wanted to come and see me while here. I was so excited waiting for her and her husband Hank to arrive! She told me she had some huge surprise for me, and I couldn't even fathom a guess. So I walked outside to greet them in the driveway and I hugged her and Hank hello. She told me she brought that surprise, and to close my eyes and walk towards the car with her. I bent down to look in a bag she told me to look at, and someone tapped me on the (very) lower back. I stood up and there was a woman standing there with big sunglasses on. I had no idea who she was at first. Then I remembered Daffy saying a DOOZY of a surprise and the woman took off her sunglasses and it was LEAH, who happens to be my Kindred! We have been buddies online and on the phone for a long time and I couldn't believe she was standing there in my yard!! We both started squealing and screaming and hugging. It was so wonderful. Then I had to hug Daffy some more.
That was just the first five minutes of our visit! They came inside, with loads of groceries for lunch, and we all talked and hugged and just had fun. It took an hour to stop talking and visiting so we could sit and eat together. Matt said the prayer and we ate.. fried chicken, corn on the cob, salad, antipasta, bread and more. Then we had dessert too! Chocolate frosted yellow cake, red velvet cake, and the lemon squares I made from scratch for Daffy who loves lemon.
We sat and talked about lots of things and took pictures of us together. They left just before 7 because they have an over-3-hour drive back to Orlando. I am so glad they came up and saw us! We had a wonderful time together and I'm feeling so blessed to have been able to meet 3 CAST team members today, in person. Daffy is such a kind hearted friend, and it was lovely to give her hugs and kisses xoxoxo in person. Leah is my Kindred and so fun, and sweet. I loved meeting Hank who is a very nice guy and I can tell he and Daffy love each other. I think Matt had fun hanging out with him too.

I'm being featured on a team blog!

I'm being featured on the CAST team blog. AND I'm giving away a free heart bookmark to one lucky person. All you have to do is go HERE and leave a comment. It's very easy! Then there will be a drawing for the winner in a few days or a week. How exciting!

I'm in a Treasury on Etsy

I'm in a treasury on Etsy! I love it when that happens :) I want to thank CKSILVER who chose my neckwarmer to be in her treasury! Thanks!

Click here for treasury link.

A GREAT BOOK!

My friend wrote this really fantastic book that I want to share with my newer readers. It is the first book she has had published, and I think it's so good she should write a sequel! It is a powerful story of love and redemption, hence the name Redeemed by Candance L. Lawson. The story is a beautiful Christian romance, but not the typical kind. It's very real, and could be a story that would happen in real life. I think it's one of the most moving books I've read, and I'm not just saying that because my friend wrote it! If you have the chance, read this wonderful book. It is worth the read!

MY NEW ETSY SHOP!

MY NEW ETSY SHOP!

I opened a brand new Etsy shop. I have been wanting a more professional sounding name for awhile, so I came up with Breath of Dawn Studio. There is a lot of meaning behind my new name, Dawn equals a new beginning. Breath of dawn is a line in a song that my mom loved, and I did too. So it's sort of named in memory of my precious mommy who went to heaven in Nov. 2009. I wanted a shop with more high-end yarns being used to make beautiful creations, so this shop will hold my wools, silks, cashmeres, quality cottons and more. I have two listings so far, and will be adding more as I make them.

Please check out my new shop, give it some love, and let me know what you think!

Christmas with Jesus

A friend of mine (http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5202119) shared this with me and I had to post it. It made me cry, missing my mom so much, but knowing that SHE is having the best Christmas ever!!!!!!


I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars
Reflecting in the snow.

The sight is so spectacular
please wipe away that tear
for I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
but the sound of music can't compare
with the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.

I have no words to tell you
of the JOY their voices bring
for it is beyond description
to HEAR THE ANGELS SING.

I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.

I can't tell you of the SPLENDOR
or the PEACE here in this place
Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS
WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face

I'll ask him to lift your spirit
as I tell him of your love
so then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful
and let your spirit sing
for I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
and I’m walking WITH THE KING.

SNOWMEN

I'm on a snowman kick right now, making all kinds of them, stuffed ones, flat ones, ornaments, pins... and just figured out why. I've always loved them, but this year more than usual. Now I remember, I gave one to my mom for our Christmas in October (she wanted Christmas before she went on to heaven)... and she held onto it all day every single day (it was a stuffed one, ornament, that says "MOST LOVED MOM). She was holding it even still when she took her journey to heaven. That's why I'm on a huge snowman kick. I am having SO much fun making them, and I feel closer to her when I am making them. I don't have a lot of PEACE right now, so the moments of peace that I feel, I cling to. So more snowmen it will be!!

CYBER MONDAY SALE

It's CYBER MONDAY and I'm having a HUGE sale in my Etsy shop! All prices are reduced to 50% off, plus every customer receives a FREE gift today only! Don't pass up the deals. Baby items, adult winter wear and more! Here's the link to My Shop.

Thanksgiving

I am giving thanks today, for one reason in particular. Most people are thankful for time with family today, and I am too. But the thing on my mind that I'm thankful for today is ~ my mom. No, she is not physically here with me, but I am thankful for her. I am so blessed to have been raised by a wonderful woman like my mom. She loves my dad and always did, so very much. She loved my brother and I as children with a great motherly love. She did many things for me over the years. The best thing she ever did for me was to love me unconditionally. I could always count on her. I could tell her ANYTHING, and know that she would still love me. As an adult she was my best friend and supported me so very much. She was my rock when I left an abusive ex. She supported me when I met Matt and dated him. She celebrated with me when I married Matt. No matter what I needed, she could give it to me. I miss her physical presence, but I know that her love goes with me every single day. I feel her in my heart. I love her FOREVER.

I'm thankful for Matt, who became my best friend when we dated. Without him, I could not have handled the last few weeks since my mom went on to heaven. He is the best husband and friend a woman could ever even hope for. There are no words to express my love for him. I praise God for him every day.

News On Mom

I had a wonderful visit with my mom last weekend. My two aunts were there, and Matt and I went down to see mom and dad too. The first day we just visited with Mom when she was awake, and shopped with my aunts while Mom slept. We had dinner at their house, we had a pork roast and veggies and then a cheesecake for dessert.

First I gave her a hair a trim, because she wanted one. Then we fixed it some, and she needed a nap. My aunts and I went to Clearwater Beach. It was a really nice time together and we all swam a bit in the water. Then onto McDonalds for a snack. We had plans to eat at Carrabbas for dinner, so we didn't want to spoil our appetites.


Mom was awake when we got home from dinner, and she stayed awake for a long time. We watched some episodes of "Friends" because Mom loves to watch that show. They have the series on DVD. We all had some more cheesecake, too. Mom was cracking jokes and being cute. She sort of acts like a kid, she is entertained easily and laughs a lot.


The next day my aunts were going to the airport to go home. We said goodbye, which wasn't fun.  I stayed with Mom while Dad took the aunts to the airport.  Mom and I were alone so we had some nice time by ourselves. That was the best hour and a half with her in awhile! We talked a little, then she was tired, so I said go ahead and nap. She wanted me to nap with her, so she moved over and I layed down. Then she covered me up with the sheet and smiled. It was a very precious time with her. Once she startled, looked over and said "oh I was just making sure you're still here." I said, I am here and I put my arm around her so she'd know I was there. We stayed that way for some time. It made me feel at peace, loved by my mom and I knew she felt my love for her too. I still feel that now, almost a week later.

She is progressively going downhill. First, she had trouble talking. Then, she started being confused a lot. She is very confused still and gets things mixed up. Now, she cannot feed herself unless it's finger food and even then needs a bit of help. Dad is taking good care of her. He gives her sponge baths now because she can't get into the bathroom anymore since she can't walk at all or even stand.

This is extremely heartbreaking, and the waiting for someone to die is just awful. I love her with so much love, that it cannot be expressed in words. Only with tears now. And sometimes tears with laughter. I miss her already, because we can't have deep talks like we used to. But I'm thankful that still I can hear her sweet voice whenever I want to or need to. When I'm there I can still wrap my arms around her and kiss her over and over as much as I want. I can tell her I love her and she says "I love you too, Pumpkin Pooh." Which is what she always calls me. It's been my special nickname from her all of my life. These moments are wonderful, and precious, and yet heartbreaking.

Gift Painting of My Mom & I

Yesterday I received such a wonderful gift in the mail. My friend Kathy of Tapestry316 on Etsy sent me a painting that she made of my mom and I. She saw the picture of us together and decided to paint it and send it to me for a gift. I was incredibly touched by the thought! And the painting came out so wonderfully. Kathy is truly a talented artist and a delightful person. That she took the time to paint a picture of my mom and I shows the caring nature of Kathy.

I love this painting so much and I'm going to find a beautiful frame for it this week. I can't wait to find a great spot to hang it so I can enjoy it every day. Also, next time I go to see my mom, I'll bring it with me and show her too. She will love it, I am sure!

Speaking of my mom, she is doing alright. The Hospice doctor was there to see her the other day and prescribed a stronger medicine to help with her pain, and it will last twelve hours instead of six. What a wonderful blessing for all of us. It is so hard to see her in such pain. It seems unfair that someone so sweet and kind should have to suffer so. Her attitude remains amazingly positive throughout all of the pain.

I love her more than ever. I call her a couple times a day to check on her when I'm not with her just to hear her voice. It's not easy being so far away from her, and I look forward to each visit. We try to get down there every couple of weeks.

Last time I was there, she did great. The first day she stayed awake for more than six hours straight. She was enjoying the company and we even took her to the beach for sunset. My brother flew in from Michigan, and I was there with my husband and Natassia & Dalton. She enjoyed seeing a couple of her grandkids, too. We had a little "spa time" where I gave her a facial and did some makeup... and took care of a few other needs she had. I love this one on one time with her, just the two of us. She appreciates the attention and my doing the things that she cannot do anymore.

She is the most amazing, strong, wonderful woman I've ever known. I can't wait to see her again in a week or two!

I received my prize!

I won a blog contest from Storybook Stitches last week, and I was so excited. I entered the contest on her blog. I received my prize in the mail yesterday and it is just awesome. I won a neck/shoulder therapy wrap and slipper inserts. She also included a free eye mask. She makes things so well, everything is just wonderful. I know the set will help with my neck and shoulder pain a lot. I love that the covers are removable so I can wash them as needed! Thanks so much Sharrie, you're so generous!

I won a blog contest!

I blogged yesterday about a blog contest I had entered at my friend Sharrie's blog. Today I got an email saying that I have WON! I'm sooo excited, I can hardly stand it. I really could use this heat therapy set for my neck and shoulder that have had problems for a while now due to an old injury. It's so cool that I won something that I really NEED. I was thinking if I didn't win I'd have to try to buy one in the near future. It's always fun to win contests, but even more so when it's something a person really needs and can use a lot. I want to thank Sharrie of StorybookStitches for having this awesome contest and for being just a really sweet person. It's been fun getting to know Sharrie on CAST and on facebook. Thank you Sharrie!!

Giveaway from Storybook Stitches

My friend Sharrie from StorybookStitches is having a giveaway! I know anyone would love to win her moist heat therapy pack that she's giving away, so I thought I'd let all of my readers know about this great giveaway. Sharrie has an awesome shop on Etsy and sells all kinds of cool items from these therapy packs to plush robes and much more. Check out her shop here and her blog is located here where you can enter to win this great giveaway!