JO Blog

A year ago today I was putting my first items on my site.  I was so nervous and sick to my stomach.  I am not a timid person or usually afraid to put myself out there….but this felt different.  I didn't know what the response would be to my items.  The things I had designed […]

In celebration of my one year anniversary on Etsy and starting A Bushel and a Peck I am offering FREE SHIPPING this whole week.  Look for an anniversary post coming and a HUGE giveaway!

When we were building our home almost six years ago I was really excited about three things.  1. The laundry room was on the upstairs with the bedrooms.  Obviously I didn't want to exercise. 2. We would have a fireplace in our bedroom. Which I wish I could tell you we use all the time for our […]

I love furniture.  No, I REALLY love furniture.  I try not to bring my husband with me when I am looking for furniture because he always points out the obvious…where is it going to go!  That has never concerned me.  I WILL find a place.   It usually results in him moving the furniture, rearranging the […]

  Thank you to all of you that have emailed me wondering when I was going to add my new items to my site.  I know I am a few weeks later than I promised, but here you go.  Here are some of my new items that have just been added to the shop.  I […]

  Sometimes you just need a little time with the girls.   Add shopping and dinner in the mix and it doesn't get much better.   Doesn't time go by too fast when you are with good friends? A TRUE friend….one that will try to steal your favorite chair for you!   I am waiting […]

Ok.  I have been “tagged” many  times lately on Facebook to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about myself.  I have decided I will do it here instead and don’t worry…I like all of you too much to tag 25 of you innocent people.  1.        When I was little I […]

I would like to thank the Academy….oh, wait…wrong award!  Thank you to Ruth at The Beautiful Life that bestowed my blog with the Sisterhood Award.  What a sweet gesture and I genuinely appreciate it.  I think it is pretty humbling and amazing that my little blog has such an amazing group of women that follow it.  Thank […]

Well, after LOTS of talking, thinking, talking and thinking I had to let Serena and Teri know that I will not be able to sell at their show this year.  I was disappointed, but knew it was the right decision for THIS year.  My business has grown so much over this past year that I […]

I have new inventory coming into my shop this weekend.  I am excited for you to see the new fabrics and papers.  I am even branching out into women's apparel.  I look forward to your feedback.   In the meantime I want to clearance out the remaining clutches and aprons.  I have priced things to go… […]

Do you remember praying for her?  Do you remember praying that the Lord would bless her family and help them if they lost her?  Do you remember reading that Christian saw her for the first time while she still "slept"?  It is just amazing to look at what prayer from people around the WORLD can […]

CLEARANCE ON ALL CHILDREN'S ITEMS BECAUSE OF THE NEW LAW GOING INTO AFFECT FEBRUARY 10, 2009. WE ARE ALL HOPING FOR AN AMENDMENT…BUT I AM SELLING THINGS AS IF THERE WILL NOT BE ONE. I do not sell many children's items, but I sure love to buy them. It would be such a shame to […]

I am not one to read the directions or manuals for ANYTHING.  If I can't figure it out…I find someone that can.  I may have only married for this reason.  That and dishes up in really high cabinets.  Moving on…I need a man.  It is sad and pathetic, but I don't want to put furniture […]

We spent our New Year's Eve in the mountains with friends.  We had such a sweet time!  It was so nice to get a new perspective.  Isn't that what a fresh start each year is all about? As we were driving up the mountain we couldn't help but slowly get inspired to live more simply.  More real.  […]

Everywhere I look lately I see these beautiful silhouettes.  They are not like the ones I had done in Disneyland in 1981!  I have been so taken with them that I am in the process of doing one for each of my children.  So hold your breath for that post!  I wanted to share some […]

Tara over at Blondie 'n' SC has so sweetly featured A Bushel and a Peck on her blog.  I hope you love what you see.  Thank you Tara!!!  I am thrilled and blessed that you love the things I design and make. I don't think any shop owner could ask for more.

  OK, on with the multipy posts about our Month of December.  You would be so lucky to have it end on Part II.  Be prepared for sequels like Rocky!   My  dad with almost all of the Grandkids.  Benjamin and Grandpa Jerry   Me and the kiddos. A tradition that we love doing with the […]

I have never had any posts that had to be divided into parts!  There were so many wonderful things that we did this month and I just didn't have time to blog about them.  I am playing a little catch up.  First of all, I hope each of you had a precious time with your […]

I had been wanting to watch Footloose very badly lately.  Don't ask me why or judge my movie viewing choices.  Maybe I was longing for 1984?  All I can say is that when we finally watched it I laughed a lot more than I did in 1984!  Maybe my head was cloudy from all the […]

Many of you have emailed me to show pictures of the rest of our home.  The house is usually not clean enough for pictures, so this is all you are getting:-) My eight year old's room is completely off limits!  I hope you are all enjoying getting your home ready for Christmas.  We are excited […]

First of all I would like to say that I am so excited to be in a photograph with my children.  If you are a mom of kids you know what I am talking about.  There are thousands of photos of my children with my husband…I am usually the one behind the camera.  I was […]

We have had such a great time beginning to decorate the house.  The children can barely contain themselves as we get all the boxes out.  I was just the same.  As soon as the Thanksgiving meal was being cleared from the table I was off looking for all the Christmas decorations.  The truth has to […]

I wanted you to know that I am offering FREE SHIPPING (in the US) through December 8.  So come on over and check out all of the new goodies.  Remember I can ship to your family and friends.  Just let me know at check out who you want the package to go to.     

I wanted to introduce you to a boutique shop owner in Iowa.  Tricia is the owner of Backyard Candle Company.  She carries so many different items and really carries a lot of items from individuals like myself.  I love that I am seeing handmade items in more and more shops these days.  Tricia is also […]