Creating a personal Greeting.. simply perfect!
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 14, 2008
Above all else, I am into Family. My entire family is quite secure in the knowledge of my Love and devotion to all things connecting us during our lives here on Earth. I am totally into creativity and personalization when it comes to just about everything, for any occasion or just because, including gifts, cards, calendars… you name it. I always prefer adding a personal touch, as this truly shows my Love, and how important my family and friends are by the mere fact of taking the time to create something special. I am never too busy to give special thought to giving my loved ones, and even those whom I do not know very well, gifts that are truly given from my heart.
Along with these lovely homemade gifts, the perfect form of personalization are Photo Greeting Cards. My particular favourite is the borderless full color photo card as can be created through CardsDirect. These premium folded photo cards are printed on thick 140 pound (14pt) white card stock using state of the art digital color press technology. Upload or email us your high resolution digital photo, and we will print it on the front of the cards in stunning digital full color. The finished product is a full sized 7 7/8″ x 5 5/8″ (Horizontal or Vertical orientation depending on your photo). Inside the photo cards, you can add one of our verses plus your personalized text, or create your own custom verse a choice of typestyles and ink colors at no additional cost. You will receive an electronic proof via email showing you exactly how your cards will look before your photo card order is printed. Lined envelopes are included and can also be custom imprinted with your return address.
Simply perfect!
Enjoy creating our own Natural Soaps and Balms
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
This would be so perfect! My daughter and I have been lucky to find some quite lovely natural and homemade soaps, lip and face balms, as well as bath salts through family giveaways during Ceremony. Yet we have seriously considered learning how to make our own. We have several family members who can teach us, and one thing I had wondered about was where to find the best place to purchase supplies.
And now I have found one such place! Elements Bath & Body soap making & toiletry supplies company was created in 2001, and is family owned. Some of the items they carry include waterproof vinyl labels, lip balm tubes, twist-up tubes, organza bags, beeswax, disposable pipettes, cloth bags, lavender buds and flax seed. When you’re formulating your own soap, body lotion, lip balm, bath salts, or perhaps a special flax seed pillow, it is wise to find a place with wholesale prices.
My daughter has especially dry lips, and we are always seeking natural balms to keep them moisturized. If we can make our own, with a nice supply of lip balm containers, we can make some for our own personal use, as well as stocking up as a great gift idea.
Imagine how much fun we can have creating our own natural bath soaps, lotions, balms, and herbal spritz’s with giveaways in mind as well. What a lovely idea!
The Gift of Giving from the Heart
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 12, 2008
Amongst our People, the Lakota, we have been taught that to Give is to Live. Giving that which is dear to us shows our Love for our fellow human beings. Our possessions are not meant to hold onto, as we do not truly belong to this Earth. We are just here for a little while to learn. In our way of Life, we have giveaways to celebrate important events in our Lives, such as Weddings, Coming of Age Ceremonies, Vision Quests, Hunkas (adopting a relative), as well and for those who Cross over to the Other Side, etc. We give to those who help us through emotionally trying times, or have been there to help us through a particularly difficult Life lesson. The Joy of Giving is like no other, and holds special meaning for both the giver and those recieving the gifts. The only thing we truly possess in this Life is our bodies, while we dwell upon this beautiful planet, and these we must care for with respect and Love. When we give, we become more. I would like to share more thoughts about Giving… Pilamaye.
Thoughts On Giving
by Kahlil Gibran
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow? And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city? And what is fear of need but need itself? Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, the thirst that is unquenchable?
There are those who give little of the much which they have–and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome. And there are those who have little and give it all.
These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty. There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism. And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue; They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space. Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding; And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving. And is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given; Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.
You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.” The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture. They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish. Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights, is worthy of all else from you. And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
And what desert greater shall there be, than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving? And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving. For in truth it is life that gives unto life while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
And you receivers… and you are all receivers… assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives. Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings; For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the freehearted earth for mother, and God for father.
A delicious and delightful cup of Tea
Posted by msterilinn on Mar 5, 2008
The internet is a fabulous place to discover unusual items and unique gifts. It simply amazes me how much smaller the World seems, yet how much more is available than one could have ever imagined. I am definately one who looks for things that are extraordinary or different, and I do believe the Teaposy Tea Set most certainly falls into this category.
The Teaposy Blooming Tea Gift Set is a tea set where the tea is actually contained within dehydrated flowers. This flowering tea set also comes with six vacuum-sealed, handcrafted, natural herb flowers that are ready to blossom when immersed in hot water. The Teaposy Blooming Tea Gift Set is an artful fusing of aesthetics and some of the world’s finest white needle tea, rich in antioxidants, and infused with Jasmine. Take a few moments to view this video, and see if you agree that this blooming tea set is a gift to be remembered…
Postcards, Stamps and Magnets.. oh my!
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 22, 2008
Now here is something I truly enjoy. Gathering supplies for an event, special occasion, or simply providing unique announcements. Being quite active socially and environmentally, I have a great and varied use for many of these items for spreading the word and advertising my particular cause or event.
Having a place that specializes in just these sorts of supplies, is exactly what I need when I get too busy to create all these items on my own. So I turn to VistaPrint, having done business with them in the past, and feeling quite happy with their quality and service. They have a great special right now, so I can have them print postcards relating to certain causes close to my heart. I can visit VistaPrint and use coupon code “BlogPostcards100” at checkout to receive 100 free postcards… what a fantastic deal! I can use a Design Template from their site, or upload one of my own Designs, depending upon my needs.
VistaPrint offers a wide array of printing services including: postcards, address labels, magnets, checks, stamps and much, much more! We can customize all of their products to our own preferences and designs. Just have fun with it!
And that is not all. They offer free Logo Designs as well. Here are some examples of categories to choose from…
~Beauty & Spa
~Entertainment
~Financial Services
~Flowers
~General Business
~Home Services
~Monograms
~Professional Services
~Real Estate
~Restaurants
~Retail & Jewelry
~Travel
~Text Only
As I was cleaning up my office space, I decided to take inventory as well. I definately need to gather more supplies such as stationary, envelopes, note pads and address labels as well. Having these customized is a great way to express myself professionally and personally.
Another great idea is to create personalized desk and wall calendars! These are a wonderful way to brighten up our own space, and they make fantastic gifts. Family and friends will totally delight in having these sweet little reminders of their loved ones, or special vacations and events, to add that personal touch to their office or living space as well.
Ah yes, I am most certainly looking forward to visiting VistaPrint to satisfy my creative needs.
Enjoy!
Going Organic this Valentines Day
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 8, 2008
I truly love Valentines Day. It is a great opportunity to get a bit festive, and express our Love for each other. Even though I do this sort of thing often anyway, it is great to have this theme to go by during our chilly month of February.
As I endeavor to search for lots of wonderful gifts to share with family and friends, I am always mindful of our Environment. When I found a place with fair trade gifts for valentines, I jumped right on it. This is fantastic! Not only did I find Organic Gifts and Natural Gifts, yet I found Planet Friendly, a healthier green alternative to birthday, anniversary, romantic or just everyday gifting. What fun it is to browse through a wide selection of organic gift baskets that overflow with tasty treats, fresh products, natural ingredients and the knowledge that what you buy is helping keep this planet user-friendly for years to come.
Organic Foods…
Produced by farmers who are careful to conserve soil and water, and enhance the environmental quality of the land around them for future generations, “organic foods” use no synthetic or artificial means in their growing process. Farmers also avoid exposure to toxic chemicals or pesticides that can end up in the ground, air, water or food supply. Many believe that organic foods have a better taste and are overall healthier for you since the produce is natural and fresh and levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus tend to be higher in organic foods than processed counterparts.
Planet Friendly carefully searches for products that meet the various needs and desires of their customers. They know that you want healthier alternatives and look for the freshest fruit and widest variety of products to meet all your gifting needs.
As an example, I am totally delighted with the huge assortment of gourmet organic snack foods to be found in their Organic Ultimate Gourmet sampler! Inside a stylish natural basket with drop handles, discover delicious 100% organic snacks such as pretzel sticks, chocolate cookies, ginger cookies, cheddar cheese crackers, a chocolate coffee bar, chocolate-cinnamon crisps, dark chocolate espresso-vivani, banana chips and cherry oatmeal cookies. To complete this spectacular sampler, they also included 100% organic spicy brown mustard, grape jelly and sweet and spicy herbal tea sachets. What a great selection!
How splendid! Just what I need to satisfy my total Valentines Day experience.
Well then, I do hope all my friends and family enjoy a wonderful and Loving Valentines Day!
A Mama and her little Slingling
Posted by msterilinn on Feb 2, 2008
My very dear friend J is due to have her baby around the end of this month. We are so very excited.. this is her first child, and she is expecting a boy! We missed the baby shower, as she lives too far to travel to her area, and they have had a lot of ice, making the roads dangerous.
So, I have been giving some serious thought to a great gift. What have I found thus far? Well, on the very top of my list are these totally cool baby slings! I truly enjoyed carrying my babies around, and I really like the design of these Slinglings from Slinglings.com. These pouch-style slings are made from quality, snuggle-ready stretch cotton fabrics in a variety of prints, solid colors or organic hemp. They’re available with or without leg padding and all of the slings are a perfect fit for newborns to 35lbs.
Leave those strollers behind.. now you and your little Slingling can snuggle up close all day long! And, oh my goodness, you should see all the colors of their fabulous fabrics! Mama’s will certainly be stylish, and us grandmas will certainly enjoy all these wonderful styles to choose from as well. I totally love the idea of having my hands free, whilst my little one rests in comfort so near.
I will be keeping these Slinglings right there on the top of my list of great gifts.
