~♥~ Sweet 16 is a light hearted look into one of our Blessings shop owners here at 1000markets.

Today I get to introduce Jill, of AuntieJill ! Her work is as lovely as she is. While doing this little feature, I learned of a very special gift she has with crying babies...

She has "helped tons of infants fall asleep - even the crankiest ones! At the crises center I became something of a legend. :)"

I'm sure the wee ones must sense the tender love she has for them as is so evident in her soft & tender snugly creations she makes.

Arent these just too precious?!

And she makes custom plush snuglies too!

Now for some basics -

name- Jill Courtright

shopname- Auntie Jill

blog -just here on 1000 Markets!

groups- Handmade Toy Alliance
a web site other than etsy- http://www.auntiejillshop.com/, http://www.auntiejill.1000markets.com/

OK Now that we know the basics, let's get answers to the questions we've always wondered about!

1. what do you have for breakfast? coffee, bagel with cream cheese
2. can you recall a favorite book from childhood? Tons! The Velveteen Rabbit, The Chronicles of Narnia
3. did you ever have a pet turtle? nope
4. if you had another talent, what would it be? I wish I could be a serious runner - someone who really enjoyed it and was good at it.

5. what color is your hair? umm...kind of dark blond/light brown

6. do you sing in the car? Yep, I sing all over the place!

7. any indoor plants? Quite a few, although they did better when I was living alone for some reason.
8. do you have a tattoo? nope
9. prefer tea or coffee? I really enjoy both - coffee first thing in the morning, tea in the afternoon and before bed.

10. carpet or wood under your feet? wood
11. mug or cup & saucer? mug, but I secretly pretend its a cup and saucer sometimes...seems more whimsical then just a mug
12. favorite time of day? when the sun is beginning to set, but hasn't gone into all of its sunset colors yet - it just gets this really rich and warm golden glow on everything, especially the undersides of leaves, and the whole world seems a little magical and I feel tangibly connected to the natural world.

13. favorite season? Tough one...I adore all the little births that happen in spring - the baby leaves and tiny flowers, but full on summer is so rich with smells and warmth, and fall is so full of all these amazing colors (most of my favorite colors in fact!), and winter has all this silvery sparkly wonder about it too. I honestly can't pick one and have a wonderful time enjoying the changes of each new season.
14. favorite dessert? This one is easy to answer: pumpkin pie!!!
15 favorite color to wear? Right now, burnt orange - it might be different in a week though!
16. favorite ice cream flavor of all time? Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk.

Thank you Jill, so very much for playing Sweet 16 with us & letting us get to know more about you!

I am so very happy that Maribeth has graciously agreed to play our light hearted Sweet 16 feature for our Blessings blog! You most likely have seen her beautiful photographs, these are 3 of my personal favorites ~



what glorious color!

mysterious & whimsical!

surprisingly beautiful!

First, the basics ~

name- Maribeth Corona-Evans
shopname- Brief Moments Photography
blog - http://www.1000markets.com/users/briefmoments/blog_posts
markets-Marketplace of Blessings, Camera Angles, Peace & Love, Image Captured, The Succulent Wife, The Village, Garden State Artisans, and the Grand Arcade
a web site other than 1KM?- http://www.briefmoments.etsy.com/

Now that we know the basics, let's get answers to the questions we've always wondered about!

1. what do you have for breakfast? Mostly toast with the occasional soft-boiled egg or bowl of cinnamon and spice oatmeal.
2. can you recall a favorite book from childhood? The Cave of Time by Edward Packard. I loved the fact that you could choose which path to take and then if it didn’t work out, you could choose another and then another until you succeeded in your adventure.

3. did you ever have a pet turtle? No pet turtles, but I had many wonderful pets from gerbils and parakeets to hermit crabs and puppies.
4. if you had another talent, what would it be? Do you mean like a super power? (insert grin) Being invisible always sounded pretty cool to me, but if that didn’t work out, I wouldn’t mind writing a best-selling novel or two.

5. what color is your hair? Dark brown

6. do you sing in the car? Yes, probably too much! LOL!

7. any indoor plants? I had a bunch of them until my kitties decided to snack on them for lunch. For my kitties’ sake (some plants can be toxic) and for my plants’ sake, my mother adopted them and now they are flourishing with other happy un-eaten plants.
8. do you have a tattoo? No official tattoos, but I’m a sucker for a Tweety Bird rub-on tattoo.
9. prefer tea or coffee? Definitely tea.
10. carpet or wood under your feet? I prefer wood with the occasional snag of carpet but right now there’s only carpet under there.
11. mug or cup & saucer? Mug, lots of them.
12. favorite time of day? It depends on the season. I love summer mornings and fall evenings.
13. favorite season? fall
14. favorite dessert? Anything chocolate --- mousse, cake, cookies, ice cream, pretzels --- really anything you can have chocolate in or pour chocolate on.
15 favorite color to wear? I love wearing soft pastel colors like sage green or periwinkle blue.

and last but not least...
16. favorite ice cream flavor of all time? Rocky Road

Thank you so very much Maribeth, for playing Sweet 16 & allowing us get to know more about you!! :)

My quasi confession

I can admit it, I sometimes get engrossed and overwhelmed by our current physical world.

I know, worry is not recommended anywhere that I have found in the Bible, as a matter of fact the Bible is the Anti-worry manual. I have read Romans 13:1-7, (13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by God’s appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God) and I, no doubt, will watch the evening news, get engrossed and overwhelmed, and reread it again and again.

But I do have a heart for the brave people who are on foreign soil fighting for freedom. I treasure America, I treasure Christian values. I don't want to live in an America under any other umbrella other than those precepts set down by the founding fathers of this country based on Bible principals. I treasure my freedom, from bondage in things that are not of God.

I have a tender spot in my heart for our soldiers in the Middle East. The conditions are so harsh and the culture is so different and they are so far from home. I wanted to show my support and was so glad to find http://www.anysoldier.com/, then a link to http://www.cardsforheroes.org/ through that website.

Making cards for our troops lets me contribute on a personal level and say thank you to a person who is fighting for freedom.

Cards for Heroes supports our nation’s armed forces by sending them blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them. They do this by asking for handmade card donations from people like you and me. The website address is http://cardsforheroes.org/. You will be uplifted when you read how the soldiers love getting these cards.

Cards for Heroes is pretty much a grassroots group of card making wives and mothers. They recently had a blog hop which I participated in, here's a direct link to my blog post on it, http://merrysmix.blogspot.com/2009/05/cards-for-heroes-blog-hop_22.html

There is so much to pray about concerning this post, I pray that the cards will be blessed by God, that they will be an encouragement to the person receiving them, I pray that the soldier that sends a card home, will one day go home whole. I pray for our entire armed forces on foreign soil, all over the world. I pray for our leaders, I pray for peace. I pray that this little grassroots movement of homemade support would gather followers, and become big, and surrounded by a prayer cloud that our true enemy the devil, cannot penetrate.

I hope that when you finish with this post that you will say a prayer for our troops.

Much love in Jesus, Nora (Paradise Essentials)

The Butterfly Box
by Gina of GPDesignsArt

This box definitely started with the paper. The symbol of the butterfly is so perfect for new beginnings. I thought of the transformative power of meeting Jesus, in someone’s life. And this box was born!!

I knew all along that for the right person, this box would have special meaning and would really encourage. It is the most expensive box I’ve made, but took tons of time. I knew in the end, it would be a special gift, and the Lord would match it up with the right person.

As the boxes sit on my table, crying out their testimonies to God and the Power of His Word, I just sit there, and silently thank Him, everytime someone picks one up to read it. I think—“ There goes Your power out into the world—thank you for letting me help!” I know that Word will not return void and will reach its intended target.

The box sold this past weekend. A woman bought it as an early Christmas present for her God-child. As she walked away happily with it in a purple handled gift bag, I thanked God for allowing me to have a tiny part in the memory she is making with that child. When the child grows up, she will remember the giver of the gift—but more importantly, she will remember the lasting, eternal words of her Father in heaven-- “There for if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, behold, the new has come!” That is why I started making these boxes. And it's why I’ll continue.

Shared by Joyce of

Joy of Tatting

"There is a Reason"

~+~ Until just recently my Husband & I attended the “Dickens On The Strand Festival” held around Christmas time in Galveston Texas. Several reasons forced our non-participation after attending for 14 years. One of which was hurricane Ike and another was a local show close to home making it easier for two old folks to attend. I do drift off and this is not the reason I write now.
~+~ During my brief career as a fiber artist I have encountered a number of people whose comments are enlighting, inspirational, witty and sometimes off the cuff. I take them all as a learning curve simply because after 20 plus years sitting in booth at shows you tend to hear it all or so you think, and then someone throws you another that you have not heard.
My last year at Dickens was a good year for me and my craft and the many comments during the show only gave me more of that warm fuzzy feeling that is until I met her.
~+~ I noticed this very saddened lady starring for what seamed a long time at one picture. I approached her to see if she was interested in purchasing this piece and I was met with a teary eyed voice breaking and what I believed to be a very moved lady. I had no idea that one of my pieces had that much power, but after talking with her I learned she was reading a saying I have often used to accompany my crosses. She had been shopping for that perfect inspirational gift to give to her boss. A young man in anyone’s eyes at just 45 was dying of incurable cancer.

~+~ She deeply felt she had no way to approach him and offer solace or comfort until she spotted my picture. She believed the piece would offer comfort to her and her boss because as you can already guess, how do you approach this type of situation. She did purchase the picture and left with a smile and confidence that she could help this man with his journey.

~+~ I then became the one left with a tear and that great fuzzy feeling that only comes around not often enough.

Is there something that you have made, that you felt was Divinely inspired?
Or perhaps something you made that really Blessed someone?
If so I'd love to do a little feature right here!
You write a little something, or a lot of something, & I'll post it with a link to your item, or shop; & that way there will be even more blessings!

Blessings 1st "Sweet 16" !

"Sweet 16" is a light hearted look into one of Blessings shop owners at 1000markets; and for our special kick-off I've selected our tireless & sweet founder, Katy! Her designs styles are eclectic, from classic to organic all with an artistic edge.
I have known Katy for only a few months & already she has become such a dear friend!
This is gorgeous!


Just one of Katy's many pairs of earrings, these are my personal favorite


and this bracelet!

now let's meet Katy!~~~

Name - Katherine Anne Curtis
Shop name - Jewel Fire Designs
Blog- JewelFireDesigns.blogspot.com
Web site other than 1KM - none

1. what do you have for breakfast? organic cereal & a banana
2. can you recall a favorite book from childhood? Anne of Green Gables
3. did you ever have a pet turtle? yes, Elmer
4. if you had another talent, what would it be? needle arts
5. what color is your hair? strawberry blonde
6. do you sing in the car? yes & everywhere else no one can hear me!
7. any indoor plants? lots
8. do you have a tattoo? no
9. prefer tea or coffee? tea (hate coffee)
10. carpet or wood under your feet? both
11. mug or cup & saucer? mug
12. favorite time of day? late morning
13. favorite season? Fall
14. favorite dessert? carrot cake
15. favorite color to wear? blue or black
16. favorite ice cream flavor of all time? peppermint

Thank you so much Katy for playing Sweet 16!

‘FINALLY’

This is my personal testimony with everlasting thankfulness to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thankfully, my wonderful mother tried to talk with me about God when I was a child. Along with most other young children, I learned the song "Jesus Loves Me". That was the extent of my childhood involvement with the Lord.
As a teenager I, usually, had God in the back of my mind; always thinking of Him as a very stern, judgmental and harsh Master. This was ingrained in me through 12 years of our particular church doctrine. I never understood that I could have a personal and intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior. I never understood the full meaning of the cross. I never understood true Christianity. But, in my heart, I always knew one thing; that I did not fit in with the world around me. I, mostly, felt alone and out of place. I was never, really, interested in anything our prevalent pagan society had to offer. I was always looking for so much more out of life; more purpose, more meaning, and more contentment.

I did not know I was looking for Jesus Christ. How could I know this? I had never opened a Bible. So, I tried to read the Bible. After reading a few pages of Scripture, I closed it. It was hard to understand, so I thought I would just work on being a good person. Rather than making an effort to read and study God's Word, I decided to make God fit my lifestyle. Needless to say, I, rapidly, slid out of God’s plan for me. I was now living in New Mexico. One day, I wandered into a Santa Fe Baptist church and ended up being mentored by the pastor's wife. She instructed me in the Word. My spirit was moved with my new understanding of faith.

A little later on I met my wonderful husband and soul mate, Allan. (We now know it was Divine Intervention.) But, back then, Allan and I were both "living for today" trying to fill a burning need or desire in our hearts for happiness that neither one of us could fill. Living our way, we were stepping further away from God and His will for our lives. Little did we know that our lives were about to, dramatically, change.

In 2004 I went for a colonoscopy. Over the next two years, I learned a whole new level of pain; both physically and emotionally. I was afflicted with cancer and, initially, given two months to live without any treatment. Even with treatment my life expectancy was very short.

Shortly after this unsettling news, Allan and I lost everything we owned in a flood caused by Hurricane Ivan. We didn't even have a toothbrush. All we had was what we were wearing that day. Our pets were saved. And, truly, that is all that mattered to us. Jesus, certainly, got our attention! I started to have many conversations with Jesus. I started to read Scripture on a daily basis. I started praying, repenting, and asking Him to help both me and my husband with all that we were both going through. (Oh, how He can direct our attention back to Him!) And we both, finally, turned our lives, completely, over to Him. Looking back now we can, vividly, see the Lord working in our lives.

Finally, I now had and continue to have purpose in my life, incomprehensible peace, comfort, and contentment in my heart and soul, true joy and happiness. Finally, I am alive inside! Through reading Scripture, I have answers to most of life’s hardest questions. Finally, I had and continue to have the most intimate and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, (Yeshua) my Lord and Savior. I, finally, realized that the main purpose of this life is to repent and re-establish our personal relationship with Holy God. We are to walk in all His ways. We are to invigorate others to study His word and to re-focus their lives onto Him. He needs to always be first place in our hearts. Life is, totally, meaningless without Him.
I am, forever, thankful to Jesus for His unconditional love, patience, saving grace, and free gift of eternal salvation. I am, also, just as thankful to Him for allowing my affliction. I would go through all the pain and suffering again to have Jesus in my life and enjoy the abundance of blessings that He gives to both me and my husband. After a colonectomy (removal of 14 inches of my colon), a liver resection (they took 80% of my liver) and 9 months of hepatic and systemic chemotherapy, I am “Potentially Cured!” I am presently a 3 year cancer survivor! My doctors are stunned at my progress. I told them about my faith in the Lord and my positive outlook and attitude.
I continue to search the ways of the Lord. I love reading my Bible. The Bible is crystal clear to anyone whose heart is right with God. The Holy Spirit is our interpreter; our internal guide and compass. He is the only One who can interpret the biblical truths to us. I am always seeking and learning new truths. Allan and I are true followers of Jesus Christ (Yeshua). Our main purpose in life, now, is to build upon our intimate relationship with Jesus, to grow in righteousness, and to start storing up some “Heavenly Treasures”.

Debby,
a servant of Jesus Christ

The Best Mother's Day Present EVER!!

I remember many Mother's Day gifts from my sons through the years....a handpainted picture, a marigold planted in a styrofoam cup decorated with sequins....a necklace made of pasta. These are all gifts we as Mom's have received, each one of them you treasured. This year I received the best Mother's Day present ever...my youngest son, 28 years old, accepted Christ into his life....and along with him, at his side, was his wife. I could of never asked for a better gift nor received one. To know that your child had held his hands in the air and accepted Christ into his life, well, there are just no words to describe the feeling of that act.

This is one Mother's Day I will never, ever, forget....praise be to God!

~Melana~

Welcome to Blessing to Blessings!

This new blog was created to give the artisans of the Marketplace of Blessings & our friends a place where they can be totally free to express their faith. We can share our praises, answers to prayer, our struggles & especially our blessings! If you'd like to share, just contact me to help you post it here.

Since this is our first posting, I thought I'd share with you how God answered a recent prayer & blessed me with our Marketplace of Blessings. ~~
I have a shop at 1KM Ever so Dear & although I belong to a few large "markets" I desperately wanted to belong to a smaller one, a place where i could fit in & feel like I was really home.
I applied to a very small market (which I'll refrain from mentioning by name). At that time, there was only one other shop that made jewelry; & I thought for sure I'd get in. Instead I got a note saying while I have beautiful jewelry, they don't feel I accurately represent _____ . I was totally devastated! For days I just couldn't understand why I was rejected.
I finally prayed about this & Lord opened my eyes to the 'new age' & pagan attitudes & items in almost all of their shops. Why hadn't I seen that before? I had to ask myself would I really want to belong to a group like that? What do I value more my love for Christ or a marketplace? Naturally I choose Jesus! I still ached to belong to a small group that I could joyfully & completely call home; however, I left the situation totally in His hands.
Later a message arrived from Katy at Jewel Fire Designs, telling me she got the go ahead for a Christian market & said God put me on her heart and wondered if I'd be interested in helping out! WOW
Don't you just love how the Lord works?! There is more to this, but that can wait for another time.

What answer to prayer or blessings do you have to share??

shared in love♥