Christmas 2009 (in a not so small nutshell)

I am sure many of you will be bored with the photos and details that follow; however, this is more for me, Burke and the boys as I document our Christmas this year. So, bear with me as long as you'd like!

Silent night holy night

All is calm

all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

(at least until I wake you up with my musical reindeer antlers, as I do every year!)

It was a Christmas filled with

fun,

joy ,

and most of all, love.

Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!

From our family to yours....

We wish you joy!

All the best this Christmas and in the coming year!

Sample Sale - Week 6!

I will be offering the following designs for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting these pieces made especially for them. Yes, you heard me correctly! I am quickly running out of time and need to get all of my samples ready in less than two weeks! So, you will benefit from my time crunch. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the pieces until my upcoming shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I must tell you that my facebook fans are quick to the draw - so consider becoming a fan of my page today to get the leg up on these exciting offers!! I will announce individually when the offers have been accepted and are closed.

The pieces that will be offered today are:

Seeing Stars
(picture below)


Regularly $54 - Discounted price $40.50!

Seeing Stars has been accepted, and the offer is now closed - other two still available!


Ten Tiny Toes - oval
(picture below)


Regularly $40 - Discounted price $30!



AND...an all new design!


One Word
(So, what's your word...joy, faith, hope, love - even a single name? I can stamp your word or name under a heart soldered to a 3/4" disc - so simple and sweet!)

Regularly $48 - Discounted price - $36!

Surely one of these pieces will work for you or would be great wrapped under the Christmas tree for someone very special!! Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in these special offers!

Sample Sale - Week 5!

I will be offering the following design for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting this piece made especially for them. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the piece until my upcoming shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! A new piece will be offered each week. I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I must tell you that my facebook fans are quick to the draw - so consider becoming a fan of my page today to get the leg up on these exciting offers!! I will announce when the offer has been accepted and is closed.

The piece that will be offered today is:

A Full Heart

(picture below)

This piece is one I wear every single day! This necklace is normally $45, but will be offered to the first person who contacts me at the special price of $33.75! This is such a great piece, and what an incredible deal!! Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in this special offer!

This offer has been accepted and is now closed. Please check back next Monday for another design to be offered!

Sample Sale - Week 4!

I will be offering the following design for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting this piece made especially for them. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the piece until my upcoming shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! A new piece will be offered each week. I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I must tell you that my facebook fans are quick to the draw - so consider becoming a fan of my page today to get the leg up on these exciting offers!! I will announce when the offer has been accepted and is closed.

The piece that will be offered today is:

The Original Monogram
(picture below)

This piece is perfect for anyone that enjoys a monogram! This necklace is normally $40, but will be offered to the first person who contacts me at the special price of $30! This is such a great staple, and what an incredible deal!! Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in this special offer!

This offer has been accepted and is now closed. Please check back next Monday for another design to be offered!

Sample Sale - Week 3!

I will be offering the following design for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting this piece made especially for them. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the piece until my upcoming shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! A new piece will be offered each week. I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I will announce when the offer has been accepted and is closed.

The piece that will be offered today is:

The Sweetpea Necklace

(picture below)

This piece is perfect for the first initials of children, grandchildren and/or a spouse. This necklace is normally $37 with up to 2 discs (additional discs are $5 each), but will be offered to the first person who contacts me at the special price of $27.75! This is such a "sweet" necklace - and, what a deal!! Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in this special offer!

This offer has been accepted and is now closed. Please check back next Monday for another design to be offered!

Sample Sale - Week 2!

I will be offering the following design for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting this piece made especially for them. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the piece until my upcoming shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! A new piece will be offered each week. I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I will announce when the offer has been accepted and is closed.

The piece that will be offered today is:

1.25" Washer necklace
(picture below)

This piece is perfect for the names of children or even a sentimental saying. It is a 1.25" sterling washer with a freshwater coin pearl hanging in the center and is truly a stunning piece. This necklace is normally $54, but will be offered to the first person who contacts me at the special price of $40.50! Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in this special offer!

This offer has been accepted and is now closed. Please check back next Monday for another design to be offered!

if ever...

my children go missing, I've eaten them....I swear!!

Sample Sale - Week 1!

I am busy preparing for 2 shows in November and need your help! Starting today, I will be offering one of my designs for 25% off to the FIRST person who responds wanting that piece made especially for them. The catch to the discount is that I will hold the piece until the shows are over and will ship them out to you after November 16. This is a wonderful way for me to have great samples for my shows and for you to have a FANTASTIC discount. If you are the "plan ahead" type, you could get amazing savings on one of a kind Christmas presents! A new piece will be offered each week. I will make this offer available on facebook, through email as well as through my personal and business blogs, so you must act quickly!! I will announce when the offer has been accepted and is closed.

The piece that will be offered today is:

Simple & Elegant
(picture below)

This piece is perfect for the names of multiple children - depending on the length of the name, we can look at placing as many as four on your disc! This is a 1.25" sterling disc topped with a brown mother of pearl coin. This piece will be offered to the first person who contacts me at the special price of $33.75!

Contact me at lannaejohnson@windstream.net if you are interested in this special offer!

This offer has been accepted and is now closed. Please check back next Monday for another design to be offered!

on loosing a tooth

Well, it happened. And if I weren't so slack in posting to my blog, you would have known that the first tooth came out a week ago. Of course, it happened at school. I was the unsuspecting mom in the car rider line when Walker comes up holding a little white plastic container shaped like a tooth and grinning a grin minus something he had in his mouth when I had dropped him off that very morning. He was grinning - I was crying. Apparently, it is "cool" to lose your tooth at school. Nevermind that your mother misses one of the biggest moments in your six years of life! His teacher saw it, his class saw it, and it even scored him a trip to see the school nurse who he adores. She gave him the little plastic tooth to keep it in and promised him a spot on her "tooth wall." He thinks it is great in spite of the fact that he doesn't even know what a tooth wall is. I mean...who wouldn't want to be on a tooth wall?



Kinsley, a precious girl in his class, told him that the tooth fairy will give you $10 for the first tooth. Okay, on the one hand, I feel forever indebted to Kinsley. Walker was thinking that his first tooth might be worth $100 in good condition. Are you kidding me? All of his teeth are in good condition - he's like a mini dentist! Back to my other hand on Kinsley....$10?! This is highway robbery. Well, $10 it was (what a generous fairy - more like a pushover, I should say.) And, as promised, that fairy dipped her wings in the water he left on the bedside table turning it the most magical shade of blue.


Since that time, we've lost another tooth. And yes, you guessed it...Kinsley strikes again! Surely we cannot keep up the pace at the new "after the first tooth" rate of $5. I believe I'm going to have to start sending Kinsley a bill!

Poor William. Can you tell he's been crying? He said it was the "unluckiest" day of his life. He is ready to lose a tooth now. I think the tooth fairy needs to look into getting a loan before his teeth start falling out! Enjoy your weekend!

Walnut Square Mall Arts & Crafts Expo

What a very fun way to spend the weekend if you're in the Dalton, GA area! If you're not close to the area, you may still have a taste of what will be offered. All you have to do is enter Brandy's giveaway here!

Green Swap

I decided recently to participate in my first ever blog swap. This is where you are paired up with another blogger and swap things based on a certain theme. Brandy was hosting the swap and organized all of the swap partners. Boy, did I get the great end of the stick! My swap partner was Liberty. Liberty is quite a talented (and generous, I might add) woman with four children. How she finds the time to be creative is beyond me! Anyway, I was beside myself to find my swap package on my back doorstep. I wanted to give you all a peek into what was inside. Keep in mind that the theme of the swap was "green." Green could be either the color green or save the planet kind of green. Liberty was so creative in incorporating both!

My package consisted of two adorable reusable shopping totes (I'm big on those!), a beautiful box of teas, a handmade bath fizzie, cucumber eye pads, Burts Bees products, a bamboo/silicone spatula and personalized labels printed by Liberty. Also, she's quite the crafty one with a sewing/embroidery machine (which I have shared with you all is just not my thing.) She made the t-shirt you see me modeling above. Is that not adorable?! Here is a close up:

I also love to cook and entertain, so she fixed me up with these wonderful "green" cloth napkins embroidered with my last initial - fantastic!

Liberty has a shop on Etsy, and you can find her on facebook. You really need to take a look at her things - perfect ideas for Christmas! Liberty, thanks so much for an incredible box of goodies! I really lucked out in getting you as my partner. Can't wait to place some gift orders!!

A letter to the tooth fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy,

Oh, how we have waited for the day you would visit our house! Honestly, we thought you'd never come. And while we're not due a visit quite yet, I just know you are right around the corner. Am I ready for a "snaggle tooth" little guy? The thought of it really brings me to tears, as we are rounding yet another corner in life and in growing up. I can tell you that he is ready, though. I begged him not to eat an apple at school today. I want to witness the first lost tooth - not his teacher before his mother! So, while he thinks that his first tooth should be worth $100, I simply don't agree. But please be generous to my little man when his time comes because he has waited ever so patiently. It stinks to be among the last in your class to lose a tooth, you know? We'll send up the flag when "it" happens, so get those wings ready. Oh...and we want your wings dipped in water to change the color and everything, okay?

Sincerely,

Walker's Mommy

now that's a giveaway!

Remember me telling you about this a couple of days ago?

Well, you should see what Natalie is giving away today! (wink, wink) Simply click on her name to take you there. You're not going to want to miss it!!

Mark your calendar!

In addition to my getting my boys to school, soccer, cub scouts, children's choir as well as an ever-growing jewelry business, my fall is spent organizing and promoting an artist market here in Madison County. We are in the process of planning our fourth show, and this year is going to be amazing! I have started a blog (yes, another one!) to keep those interested informed on the talent that will be joining us this year. I encourage you to follow this blog, as every several days I will be posting about a different artist. This year, the show is Saturday, November 14th. It is held at the historic courthouse in downtown Danielsville. We are only 20 minutes from Athens, GA, and it is well worth the drive! Just think...it could be your one-stop-shop for your holiday gift list. Can you imagine checking everyone off your list before the holiday rush even begins? You are guaranteed to find original work for everyone on your list. So, mark your calendar now!!! Oh, and did I tell you Brandy (http://www.sewcuteshop.etsy.com/) was coming? Oh yes, she is!!!

Find the new blog here.... http://madisoncountyartistmarket.blogspot.com/

See you November 14th!

a week of giveaways!

I'm a follower of a fantastic blog called Natalie's Sentiments. You can find her blog here:
http://www.shane-natalie.blogspot.com/ You're going to want to find it, too! Because for her birthday week (don't you just L.O.V.E people that celebrate their birthday for a week?) she is offering a giveaway each day, and it starts TODAY! So, go check it out and send birthday wishes Natalie's way. And seriously....you're going to want to check it out ALL week! ;)

a leaky faucet

Things like leaky faucets happen only when my husband is on plane headed out of town for several days. So, of course, Monday was that day for us. Fortunately, there are great plumbers in our area. They came out when they said they would, and even on the same day I called. Rather than a leak in the pipes (which they could have fixed that day), it had to be a leak in the faucet itself. Thank goodness for friends in high places (you're the best, Teresa!) I called Teresa who picked out a faucet WITH me over the phone while both looking online, and she had it on a truck at her office by lunch the next day. I'm back in business as of yesterday afternoon (yep, that's my new faucet), and I even get my husband home today. Too bad he missed all of the excitement! And speaking of excitement...

Meet Earl! No, he didn't come with our new faucet; however, Earl lives on the property behind Teresa's office. Of course she was taking William out for a visit and the chance to feed the donkeys and goats.

This is William feeding the momma goat. He said over and over again, "I just don't know about this." Thanks, Teresa, for an adventure in the world of leaky faucets and feeding the animals. What four-year old little boys wouldn't be all about that?!

new blog

Nearly a year after starting this blog, I have decided to create yet another one that will showcase better photos of my jewelry designs. I hope you will continue to check here, but please show my new blog some love as well! It is still a work in progress, but you can find it here:

http://lannaejohnsondesigns.blogspot.com/

While you're there (and while you are here for that matter!) why don't you sign up to follow my blog.

This blog will always be updated because you know I'm going to share photos and stories about my boys - it's just what I do! I hope you'll enjoy a wonderful weekend. I'm certainly looking forward to mine.

from baby boy to super hero

We miss Walker when he is at school; however, Wills and I enjoy our time together - time that is just about us. Preschool will be starting soon, and I'm going to miss lazy summer mornings being entertained by my little man. This morning I asked him if he would just plan to live with me forever. He replied, "Mommy, super heroes don't live with their mommys and daddys. You just don't even like to think about me being a grown-up!" He is right. When I'm enjoying every second of him being 4, a grown-up super hero is just too much for me to comprehend. So, for now, I'm simply going to enjoy each and every day that he lives under our roof. He'll be wearing a cape and saving the world before I know it!

apron giveway with....

you guessed it! BRANDY!! Now, the only reason I'm telling you about this is because I get my name in the hat a couple more times to win this fantastic apron for myself. So while you think I'm being nice, my motive is purely selfish. Now, Brandy knows I love her things and want to be her poster child, and those that read my blog certainly know that I love Brandy's things. In the event that you did not know, I have a HUGE thing for aprons. They remind me of my great-grandmother - she was always in an apron. I already have two of her aprons (so I really shouldn't be so selfish;) however, this one would look great on me, too! Not to mention I gave one of my "Brandy aprons" to my mother, so I really only have one now. What am I supposed to do when one is dirty, I ask? Okay, if you think you want to win this adorable apron, then as always head to Brandy's blog http://sewcuteshop.typepad.com/sewcuteshop/2009/08/michael-miller-pet-deer-apron-giveaway-fab-finds.html#comment-6a0115707da072970b0120a4ff4bde970b where she will tell you exactly what to do. Good luck (my fingers are crossed!)

Oh, and if you haven't signed up for her Green Swap, then you can do that, too!! Where does that woman find the time?

Green Swap

It seems as if I'm always apologizing for my lack of posts. At the same time, at least in my head, I seem to have a wonderful excuse. I'm not going to bore you with my schedule the last week and a half because I'd rather tell you about a fantastic swap Brandy is organizing. You need to get involved in this! So, here is the deal...you need to visit Brandy's blog at http://sewcuteshop.typepad.com/sewcuteshop/2009/08/with-this-being-the-first-year-i-am-really-going-to-need-your-help-in-the-advertising-post-on-your-blog-send-announ.html

All of the swap details are outlined there. In addition, you can find out how to earn gift certificates from Brandy's store...don't even get me started about how much I love her things! One of the boys' favorite people came to spend the night with them last night, and I had to drag out everything I owned that was made by Brandy. Quite honestly, it became a little embarrassing. I think she wanted one of everything, though!!

I've already started shopping for my part of the swap, and I'm working on some ideas for jewelry to include as well. So, be sure to get in on the action!!!

first day. first grade

Yesterday was the big day. Sending my little man back to school after a wonderful summer. The day came with mixed emotions (on my part); however, in the end, he was exactly where he wanted to be and where he felt so comfortable. What grade, do you ask?

Yes, that's right. Walker Johnson, first grader.

He was as ready as ever, and I think the picture belows shows just that!

home again - home again

We have recently returned from an amazing trip to Fripp Island with some fantastic friends. It was great to have an end of the summer vacation, but it is so hard for me to believe that my oldest starts first grade on Thursday. This week will be filled with getting ready, open house, starting back and me catching up on tons of jewelry orders. Thanks so much to everyone who has placed and order!! I hope to be sending most all of them out by the end of this week. Now, for a few pictures from our vacation...

We saw several of these when the evening weather cooperated.

We saw TONS of these - all wanting to be fed, of course.

And, of course, we ate our fair share of this!

If you're on facebook, look for me there. You can be directed from the link at the top of this page on the right hand side. I have promised a giveaway there, and you can get in on the action! Wishing you a wonderful week.

Brandy does it again!

I know I've mentioned "my friend" Brandy to you before. Okay, so we're not really friends, but I am certain we would be had we ever officially met. She is one of my blogging friends (there I go again,) and makes the most wonderful things with that sewing machine of hers. Well, now she is willing to give away the most favorite thing she's ever made. Isn't she thoughtful? I mean she could just keep her favorite things for herself!

There is such a great story behind this fabric, and you can visit Brandy's blog at http://sewcuteshop.typepad.com/sewcuteshop/2009/07/the-cutest-thing-i-have-ever-made.html#comments to check it out. While you're over there, you might just fall in love with other things she's made (like I have!) Anyway, she's giving this little girls dress (can also be made into a women's top) away. Wouldn't this be quite cute on my niece? I am sure my sister would agree with me.

I hope you all have a great week. I've survived only one night of VBS with four more to go. I am most certainly going to need a vacation after this week...thank goodness for me we have one planned!

Perry sure can paint!

(photo compliments of Perry McCrackin)

My friend, Perry McCrackin, participates in our local art show each November. I have several of his pieces, but I must say that this one is my (our!) new favorite! Meet Trigger...the newest addition to our family. Contact me if you're interested in Perry's work. I'd be happy to connect you with him.

Oh, and did you happen to notice the button on the right side bar? I'm on facebook now! Why don't you head on over there and become a fan. Once I get the "magic number" of fans (no, I have no idea what that number is yet - just sounds good), I'm planning to have my first ever facebook giveaway. So, why are you waiting!

giving back

I have met a very sweet and talented person through the world of blogging. At this point in time, she is giving back like nothing I've ever seen. When, through her blog, she offered the option to be a part of a silent auction at the end of this month, I jumped at the chance. You see, her dear friend's son was diagnosed with a brain disease called adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in March of this year. Riley, who is the same age as my oldest (6), and his parents are away from the comforts of home while at Duke University Hospital. Riley is there to receive bone marrow transplants. Brandy at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7017318 is donating all proceeds from the sale of items listed in SewCute Shop to teamgreene until their return to Chattanooga. I thought about this last night and found myself hoping that I would have friends like that surrounding me during a time of need - AMAZING!

Now, did I mention that Brandy was talented? I actually entered a giveaway to receive a gift certificate to her Etsy shop (link above.) I could not wait for the end of the giveaway before buying three things! Her work is absolutely wonderful - most wonderful fabrics and craftsmanship. Now, if there is one thing (actually there are MANY) I cannot do and that scares me to death, it is sewing. I can always count on Brandy for those kinds of things now! Please go visit her at her shop. You can know that your dollars are going to a wonderful cause.

You can visit teamgreene's journey by clickingwww.carepages.com/carepages/teamgreene

I have donated this piece to be a part of a basket in the silent auction giveaway - so very little for me to do, but jewelry is what I know! If you are in the Chattanooga area, please look for details about this auction/dinner. I believe the date is July 21.

We're pulling for you teamgreene!

overdue

as in my gift...not the mother/baby! My goal is to have this necklace in hand before this child turns 16 - okay maybe I'd like to make my goal to have it in the mail by the end of this week. Reasonable goal? I think so. Anyway, this piece is a new one to my collection, similar to ten tiny toes. A small stamped disc is soldered to a sterling oval and is perfect for the names of a couple of children or the full name of a new baby. I am offering this piece for $40. It will be the hit of the baby shower...I promise!

seeing stars

As those of you who read my blog well know, my boys are the "stars" in my life. With that in mind, I've designed a new piece. Let me introduce you to it...

The base of this necklace is a 3/4" square stamped with two names and a star soldered on top. The necklace comes with a freshwater pearl dangle and will be strung on your choice of a 16" or 18" chain. If you happen to have a couple of "little stars" in your world, I can customize this piece for you for $54. I finished mine just last night, and I'm loving it already!