Featured Writer Red

My featured writer is Red. She writes about her real life and her journey through it. If you would like to read more about Red, please visit her blog for more personal thoughts and insights.

Red's Blog

Red Writes.....

Everything That I Am

For I am that which I know, and that which I've seen. I am all of this life from which I glean. Take me as I am and know that I am true. Know that I am still learning... about life, about love, about you.

Accept me despite my flaws. Celebrate me with out cause.

Unconditional love is forever and with out due. Such is the love, sent from me to you.

I bring to you honesty and admiration. I surrender all of me to all of you and offer you confirmation.

You won't always know what I'm thinking or why. There will be so much about me you don't understand and I won't always be able to explain myself no matter how I try. But you will always know that I love you and that I put you above the rest. You will always know that I offer you my very best.

Take me for who and what I am, tarnish and all. Trust that your heart knows me and welcome the fall.

I am my past, as I have been yours as well. I am all that you see, and everything for which you fell. You know all that you need to know. You have everything that I can give... and it's yours even if you go.

If....

If you were to pick the one thing that always makes you smile, what would it be?

Red Writes.....

I'm sitting here thinking... thinking... thinking. I've thumbed through all my notebooks that I can find thinking perhaps I will post an old poem. Nope- nothing I feel like sharing for some reason. Think think think.... listen to music... sing along... think think think. Change music. Think some more. Sing along.

I've got it! I just need to turn the music off. Then I will be able to concentrate.

But wait... I love this song.

Listen to music. Stare at blank screen. Stare at blank screen some more. Start to think about what to write...sing along to music.

It's worse than reality tv... what's coming up next??? Don't turn it off before you see what's next... wouldn't want to miss anything good right?

Then my husband says to me... "What music is that? Is that playing on AOL?' I say, 'No, it's my Playlist.' He says, 'Go to BBC Imusic" (or something along those lines) He says, "They have 80's, World... you name it. All kinds of stuff. You will find something new.' I say, "But dear... I don't want anything 'new'. I like what's on my play list. That is why it is on my playlist.' He says, 'Don't you like to listen to new stuff?'

"No."

'No?'

'No."

"You don't like to just listen to learn about new music you might like?'

I say, 'I'm not adverse to new music, but when I like something... I kind of want to hear it. I search out an artist or a song that I like and read all the lyrics on the albums, listen to clips, etc. I have plenty 'new' exposure. I watch videos. I exchange CD's with family... but I like what I like and don't see the need to waste very much of my time LOOKING for what I MIGHT like. Simple.'

Seems pretty logical to me. But apparently I'm a bit simplistic for his sophisticated music repertoire.

Am I wrong for only wanting to spend my music listening time on the good stuff? How do you feel about the exploration of music vs. the old faithful, memorable and sentimental favorites?

It's all part of the reason why he hates taking me to Subway. I order a tuna sandwich every time. And I savor how wonderful it is, every time. We go to a restaurant- I order a Patty Melt. I always enjoy my dinner. The same can't always be said for him. We order Pizza- he gets all kinds of toppings trying to build up on the flavors and get the most out of it. He even asks for it to be heavy on the pizza sauce. I order a very basic type- no Sausage, no Salami, no Pineapple, no Tomato, no Green Pepper. You know... just ground beef, maybe pepperoni, onion, olive, mushroom, maybe Jalapeño. It's pretty much the same every time, and EVERYONE'S favorite everytime too. Where as, he is the only one who eats his(as well as mine). I always enjoy mine. Now I ask you... who is smarter?

Which makes most sense? New and unusual- but also unproven- or - faithful standby that always gives enjoyment?

Red's Blog

A Walk Down the Isle - Interview with Madeline Bea Soap Co.

Today I am featuring a creative and talented member of the Etsy Wedding Team. Medeline Bea Soap Co. has created a line of bath and body products that are perfect for any bride to be. Her wedding speacialty is personalized bridal shower and wedding soap favors. She also created a lavish "bea blissful" welcome basket, perfect for bridesmaids, out of town guests, or any bride that would love some extra pampering!

1. Where are you from?
I am from the beautiful mountains of Northeast PA. I live in the same town I grew up in.

2. What special things do you create for weddings?
I make handmade soap favors whose labels and wrappings can be customized and personalized specifically for the bride and groom. I also can put together gift baskets for bridesmaids, out-of-town guests, flower girls, etc.

3. Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful little girls. I married my high school sweetheart and he's the best husband and dad I could ever imagine. We live a pretty simple life full of laughs, love, and family.

4. What or Who got you started doing what you do?
I started exploring how to make soap out of a desire to make frugal Christmas presents. The craft was way more involved than I thought but the more I learned about it, the more I really wanted to do it! So I bought a couple books and did a ton of online research and taught myself the craft of soapmaking. Once I started, there was so much I wanted to do; new soaps, scrubs, lip balms. It was so addicting. And even now there's way more that I want to do then I have time to do.

5. What is a little known fact, or something unique about your work that is interesting?
Soapmaking is a big chemical reaction. Measurements of oils, water, and lye have to be very precise (to a tenth of an ounce) or the whole batch could flop.

6. If you could pick anyone famous that would purchase your items for their wedding, who would they be?
I would have to say Martha Stewart because you know that everything she would have at her wedding would be the most charming, best things you could have.

7. If you are married, what's one thing you wish you had for your wedding that you didn't?
My soap for favors, of course! Oh yeah, and a sober DJ!


8. What's your favorite wedding song?
I'm going to have to say my own: "All I Need To Know" by Kenny Chesney. It simply says that "In a world where most things come and go, I'll always have you to hold, And that's all I need to know." It most definately captures the essence of marriage. If you're marrying for any other reason then you'll probably be dissapointed.

9. Can you give any advice to all the brides to be getting married this year?
Make the day truely about you and your groom-to-be. So many weddings are carbon copies of each other. I love weddings that are unique and speak volumes about the couple. You and your guests are more likely to enjoy the day when it feels like YOUR wedding and not like the same wedding they went to last month. Oh yeah, and please keep your perspective. It is ONE DAY!!!! It will be over as quickly as yesterday. But your marriage is what all the work is for!

10. Perfect honeymoon spot.
I wouldn't know!

11. If you could choose 1 item from your shop that you wish every bride could have, what would it be?
One of my Body Scrubs. Her skin would be glowing on her special day (just like her smile!)

12. Links where we can find out more about your work.

http://www.madelinebea.com/
http://www.mbeasoap.etsy.com/
http://www.madelinebea.blogspot.com/

Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

I would like to thank UpfromtheAshes from our Etsy Wedding Team for creating this wedding inspired treasury.

My personalized candle tin favors are included in this group of other very talented artisans from Etsy.

We all belong to the Etsy Wedding Team and specialize in beautiful handmade and custom designed items for a bride and groom's special day.

Please visit our Etsy Wedding Team blog by clicking on the icon below.

Red Writes......

Have you ever had Humble Pie? Not just any Humble Pie. I'm talking fresh Humble Pie. The kind that is firm and tart, swiftly served while still steaming. And the thing about Humble Pie is that you can't just have one bite. You really have no choice but to eat THE WHOLE PIE. And that's not easy for anyone to do. Something about the texture makes it hard to swallow. And then there is the taste. You've never had anything so bitter in all your life. But then you ask, "Why eat it then?"

The answer to that question would be ... because that's what you get when you get your just desserts. And recently, I've had mine. It wasn't pleasant: the taste still lingers and I'm afraid it will for quite a while. The moral of the story that I didn't tell though, is that even when you think you are doing your best in life, it only takes one bad decision to negate all of it and no body is above that. Nobody is perfect.

Now... would you like some Prune Juice with yours?

The Anatomy of a Purse

It all started with a quick trip to the fabric store. “Let’s just run in here and take a look around”, I said to my mom on our shopping adventure. Well, 2 hours, a yard of material and a Quik- Sew pattern later, I had the beginnings of my brand new purse.

My mom always sewed for me as long as I can remember. One of my favorites as a kid was the matching white summer top and bell-bottom pants with the red and blue rickrack around the bottom. Man, I was stylin’! My dolls always had the coolest clothes up until the time the older girl next door persuaded me to trade them to her for some state of the art wooden doll furniture.

Years later, my mom informed me that this “furniture” was nothing but scraps and slivers of wood glued together to swindle the custom-made doll wardrobe from the 7 year old gullible neighbor. I could still see her up late at night sewing on every sequin one by one; hemming my Barbie doll’s dresses to the exact right fashionable length. My favorite was the groovy light green koolot jumper. That’s long gone though…probably passed down to the neighbor girl’s grandkids by now.

Over the years she’s had plenty of sewing projects from me that keep her busy. She has hemmed 85% of my pants, made duvet covers, graduation dresses, outfits for work, curtains, pillows, you name it…. She has been my personal Project Runway!

My purse has been sitting in my closet since Christmas, as I wanted to wait for nicer weather to pull it out.

Today is the day and my new purse will travel with me this spring and summer and remind me of how much I appreciate everything my mom has done for me.