Start Your New Year Off Right

Start your new year off right with these helpful items from Artfire. After you view these, leave us a comment with what your new year's resolution is for 2010.

Card Organizer

One area that I need help in is remembering to send out greeting cards to my friends and family on their birthday. Here is a great organizational tool - a card organizer, sorted by month.

Plus, you can pick up some greeting cards to fill it in my shop, withourhands.




Swiffer Sweeper Eco-Friendly Covers

Are you vowing to help "green-up" the world by becoming more eco-friendly with your products for 2010?
Here we have a Swiffer Sweeper dust cover. Save yourself money with these reuseable dusting cloths made to fit your Swiffer Sweeper. Just slide them onto your swiffer and use. Turn it inside out and use again and then throw them into your laundry or rinse them out in your sink.
Use them dry or wet. Works great on hardwood floors, vinyl and linoleum.

Bright Green Apple Cozy

Help your New Year's Resolution of eating more fruits and vegetables with this cute apple cozy.

This cute and fun 100% cotton cozy will keep your apple from getting bruised in your bag! The drawstring closure keeps the apple safely inside.

Diet Assist Tea

Chickweed, Alfalfa, Chaparral, Dandelion, Fennel, Juniper Berries, Celery, and Parsley Aids in weight loss and water retention.








Single Speed Bicycle Block Print Lined Journal or Notebook

This hard-bound journal/notebook is similar to a Moleskine in that it has an elastic closure and a convenient pocket on the inside. It measures 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" and is wide ruled for easy note taking, list making, or journaling! Great for recording your fitness/exercise routines in.

I'm addicted to Polyvore

I think i'm addicted to a new "game". Although it's not your traditional game like monopoly or scrabble (I do love playing scrabble on facebook though). It's a website called Polyvore. A fellow Artfire Seller introduced me to the website last night and I have spent more than my share of hours uploading and creating collections. So what is polyvore? It's a website where you can view collections of like-items. From fashion to art to interior design. They have collections based upon a celebrity and what they might wear. I created one last night for Alexa Chung. All with items from Artfire Sellers (except her jeans).

I also created one for Hello Kitty Fans this morning.

Here are a couple more!

Win a Holey Donuts Prize Pack Plus $150

Post from my "other" blog, Front Porch Reviews.

I have talked to you all about my quest to lose weight and how I'm following the Weight Watchers plan. Through the Weight Watchers community, I heard about a company called Holey Donuts. They make low fat donuts and cinnamon rolls. Donuts such as: Coconut Cream Pie, Lemon Graham Cracker, Vanilla Coconut, Chocolate Fudge Empties, Vanilla Frosted Boston Cream, Strawberry Shortcake, Toasted Coconut, Raspberry Fudge, Fudge Crumb Boston Cream, Caramel Apple and many other flavors.

HOLEY DONUTS! WOULD LIKE ONE LUCKY READER TO WIN A Holey Donuts! Holiday Pack of

1- Full box of Jumbo Low Fat Cinnamon Buns (4)
1- Full box of Our Awesome Jumbo Low Fat Blueberry Vanilla Buns (4)
1- Full box of Holey Donuts! Low Fat Cinnamon Bun Middles (16)

+$150 Holiday spending cash!


Enter to win by emailing; info@holeydonuts.net. You will need to put the name of my blog, Front Porch Reviews, in the subject line in order to enter. Please only enter once. They will announce the winner on December 15th.

Gifts4All with WithOurHands.Artfire.com

I took a pledge this holiday season and that was to shop handmade as much as I could. With the economy hard on everyone, I wanted to support my fellow crafters and artisians. Especially those in the United States of America. Buying american made products is really important to me. It's hard these days to find things in our big box stores not made from outside the USA. With handmade, you can support fellow Americans.

I have a shop on Artfire called WithOurHands. If anyone else wants to join in with the handmade pledge, be sure to check out artfire.com to see all the great products available.

To save 10% off your order, enter coupon code Gifts4All during checkout. Right now most products in our studio are reduced 25-75% off. Save 10% on top of the already reduced prices.

Here is a sampling of what we have available in our shop:


LadyBug Thumbtacks, Set of 4

Jazz up your bulletin board at work or home with this set of four red ladybug thumbtacks.
$3.75

Flower Die Cuts Package

Die Cut flowers - the large flowers are 3" and the medium ones are 2".
Great for scrapbooking embellishments, card making or other craft project.
$3.00

Greeting Card Variety Pack, Set of 10, Your Choice

Why give an ordinary, store-bought greeting card when you can give one made "with our hands"?
Purchase a total of 10 cards from my greeting card listings and I'll reinvoice you for a special rate of 10 cards for US $18.75.

Mini Jello Pudding Notebook

We recycled a Jello Pudding cardboard box and turned it into a cute upcycled Notebook. Great to keep in your purse or car for when you need a little piece of paper. Great for a mini address book.
Measures 1.25" x 1.5". Filled with white paper.
$1.00

Rainbow Kandi Bracelet

Your choice of a Kandi Bracelet made in the colors of the rainbow. If you see a particular one you'd like, let us know and we'll try and fill that request.
$2.50

Holiday Snowman tile Pendant with Chain

Get dressed up for the holidays with this adorable snowman pendant made from an upcycled ceramic tile. Included is a 24" ball-chain necklace.
$6.00

Green Butterfly Fun Adjustable Ring

A fun, butterfly ring. Adjustable in size.
$5.00





Green and Brown Glass Bead Bracelet

Brown, Green and Clear beads adorn this glass beaded bracelet. Made with a stretch cord.
$4.99

Market Bag - Upcycled and Eco-Friendly

This upcycled t-shirt was given new life by being transformed into a recycled market bag. Help save the planet a little at a time by bringing your own bags to the grocery store and farmer's market.
Makes a great book bag also. I use mine for the library and my kids have one for their school bag.
$5.00

Water/Soda Bottle Carrier Holder

Great water bottle carrier for the times when you don't want to use your hands to carry your bottle. Use it when you go to an amusement park/zoo, on a walk or hike, to the gym, yoga class or doing your everyday errands to remind you to get your water in.
This water bottle carrier holds a 16 oz. (or a little larger) bottle. Doesn't have to be a water bottle either - use it for your soda bottle also.
$5.49

Eco-Friendly, Reusable Swiffer Sweeper Dust Pads

Save yourself money with these reusable dusting cloths made to fit your Swiffer Sweeper. Just slide them onto your swiffer and use. Throw them into your laundry or rinse them out in our sink.
$5.00


Imagination at Play Finger Puppets, Set of 3

Imagination is so important for little kids minds. Watch your kids play make pretend with these adorable finger puppets.
You'll receive a set of three puppets.
$6.00

Navy Blue wrist cuff with denim button
Wrist cuff made with navy blue yarn and decorated with a denim button on the front. Wrist cuff closes with one circle button in the back.
The back button is used to close the cuff. You can make it as loose or as tight as you'd like.
$5.00

Blue, Pink and Purple Cell Phone Holder/Case

Crocheted sock for your cell phone, mp3 player, or makeup. Button closure. Measures approx. 5" x 2 1/2" - although it does have a bit of give to stretch a little more. Made with 100% acrylic yarn.
$2.49

Face Cloth Scrubbies, Set of 3
Set of 3 face wash cloths made from 100% cotton yarn. Great for washing your face and removing make-up. These are environmentally friendly, just machine wash and dry them. Reuse them over and over again. The more you wash them, the softer they get.
Great for kids in the bathtub.
$2.00


Yellow, Blue and Green Dishcloth Set with Pot Scrubber

Set of two crochet dishcloths. Made with 100% cotton yarn, double crocheted. Plus, one matching pot scrubber made with netting. Works great on teflon pans without scratching them.
$4.00



Green and Yellow Skinny Scarf with pom poms

Green and yellow thin scarf with pom poms. Hand crochet, 100% Acrylic yarn, 88" long by 1 3/4" wide.
$10.00



Light Green Fringe Scarf

This scarf is so beautiful with it's soft green color. It was double crocheted and is machine washable.
$10.00




Pink and White handbag/purse

Crocheted purse made from 100% cotton yarn. Perfect for adults or for young girls.
This handbag measures 44" long. The purse is 5" x 5 1/2". Made with pink and white yarn. Button is hot pink.
$8.00



Red Wallet, Makeup Bag, Clutch, Envelope

Crocheted "envelope". Use as a wallet, clutch, makeup bag or as a little girl's purse. Measures 5" x 5". Closes with a button.
$4.59

Christmas Shopping for Men

Does anyone else find it so hard to find gifts for men? Especially men who you don't see on a daily basis (like your husband or son). My father, father-in-law and brother-in-law are the two hardest people to buy for. I never know what they want or need.

This year I made the pledge to buy more handmade items and this past week I was so lucky to trade with some fabulous people on Artfire. I have made a big dent in my shopping for the woman in my life. Now I need to move onto the men.

Artfire definitely has some great items for men. Stop by Artfire and pick up your Gifts for Men.

Keep Calm and Carry On (Green) - Pop Art Graphic T-shirt (Available in Mens S,M,L,XL)
by PopStudio

Style Name: Keep Calm and Carry On (green) - Pop Art T-Shirt
100% pre-shrunk Cotton. $25.99



Black Leather Belt W/ handstamped Chain link pattern
by leathermadenice

This belt was handcut and handstamped on premium tooling leather. Two gunmetal snaps secure the nickel buckle. Fits 36" - 40" waist. $25 (on sale from $49)


Monogrammed 22k Gold Fused Glass Cuff Links
by moonofglass

Fused glass jewelry personalized monogrammed cuff links in black with gold letters. These great cuff links start out with a black base, and have a 22k gold initial across the top. Ive smoothed the back with my grinder, and then attached stainless steel cuff links. $20



Gold Dust European Pen
by DesignerPens

Luminescent yellow and black pen called Gold Dust. This pen almost seems to glow as it reflects light and reveals shades of golds and yellows. $30




Hand Engraved Folding Pocket Knife, Sunfish
by D.Reigel

Featured here is a stainless steel knife made by Marbles. On the nickel-silver bolsters, Dennis has engraved by hand a simple 19th century floral design most commonly seen on the old Colt cowboy “six shooters’ of the Old West. Closed, the knife measures 4-1/4 x 1-½ inches (10.8 cm x 3.8cm). $98

Men's Tan and Brown Crochet House Slippers Sz 9-10
by Hardtimecreations

Here is a soft comfortable pair of men's shoe size 9-10 crochet house slippers. The yarn used tan and brown. Around the ankles is the brown yarn, aross the toes is tan, and the bottoms are the tan and brown. The cuff rides around the ankles and helps keep your toes warm and comfortable. $15

Steampunky Brown Men's Brown Cotton Boxer Shorts size L- XL
by lovelythings

These look undeniably old-fashioned and rather sedate. 100% cotton fabric. The boxers have an enclosed elastic waist, and fully functional front fly. Size XL, to fit 38- 42 inch waist. $18



Mens Knotted Leather Cord Necklace with Agate Stone Circle Pendant
by EverDreamDesigns

A casual everyday necklace consisting of a black and white banded agate circle on knotted white leather cord. This necklace is available from 18” to 22” in length. $12


Mens After Shave Lotion From Red Leaf 100% Vegan by RedLeaf

Loaded with organic Aloe Vera, this lotion is lightly scented (also in unscented!) and is made for extra sensitive skin. It absorbs very quickly, and leaves no greasy finish. $10

I Love Trading

Yesterday I posted about an event going on right now on Artfire called Trade and Stay. It has been so much fun this week kicking off my Christmas shopping by trading with my fellow artisians on Artfire. There are still three days left to get in on the fun. Stop in the Promotions Forum and look for the Trade and Stay discussion (or click the words here and it'll bring you there).

Here are the goodies I have gotten already this week. I'm open for more trading, so stop by my shop and see if there is anything you'd like to trade!

My niece will be getting this portable coloring station from AprilsOriginals.

I was so excited to grab some votive candles from ChrissyChrissy.

From AccessoriesByGottJoy, I picked up a pair of angel earrings for my mother-in-law and a colorful bracelet for my daughter.

From TheHobbyRoom I am getting two hats and two extra flowers.

From GirlSeattle I am getting this beautiful Cobalt Sea Glass Necklace.

From MaggieMcManeDesigns, I grabbed these two stunning necklaces. The first one is a Red Pearl Sterling Silver Leaf Necklace and the other is a Candy Jade Sterling Toggle Necklace.